China Begins Xinjiang-Tibet Railway Construction Near Ladakh Border

China has begun construction of the Xinjiang–Tibet railway, a strategic project running near India’s Ladakh border. The line will traverse Aksai Chin, parallel to the G219 highway, strengthening China’s logistical reach in the region. First proposed in the mid-2000s, it faced long delays due to extreme terrain and permafrost before being revived in Tibet’s 2021–2030 railway plan. The state-owned Xinjiang Tibet Railway Co., with 95 billion yuan capital, is leading the project. Integrated into a broader national rail network, the route raises security concerns as India and China continue diplomatic talks amid ongoing border tensions.