ISLAMABAD -- The Taliban government of Afghanistan has recently opened a road through the Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip of land on the northeastern edge of its territory, to create a direct trade route with China.

Belt and Road

Afghanistan opens potential China trade route to Persian Gulf

Experts say new road via Wakhan Corridor remains a long way off becoming operational

The mountainous Wakhan district of Badakhshan province in northeastern Afghanistan may one day provide China with a gateway to the Persian Gulf. © AP