BEIJING: China Southern Airlines, one of Asia’s largest carriers, is set to resume the Urumqi-Kashgar-Islamabad route from 27 January, offering round-trip flights every Saturday.
This reinstatement after about fifteen years of suspension strengthens connectivity between Pakistan and China, adding to the existing two routes between Pakistan and Xinjiang.
Kashgar, serving as the starting point of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and a significant node in the Asia-Europe Golden Passage, plays an important role as a strategic gateway for western development.
Route to enhance Pakistan-China cooperation
Deputy Secretary-General of the Administrative Office of Kashgar Liu Zhong, expressed his belief that the opening of the Urumqi-Kashgar-Islamabad route would considerably facilitate international trade and cooperation between the two countries.
He said that this development would contribute to the high-quality construction and development of the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, particularly in the Kashgar region.
The establishment of the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone on 1 November 2023, positions Kashgar as one of the three key zones within it.
