Along the new Silk Road | VPRO Documentary
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- Опубліковано 23 жов 2024
- Central Asia was once the hub of world trade. Now we hear little about it, even though it is teeming with intriguing stories.
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan. These are countries that once formed the Old Silk Road, the world's trade center. Most Westerners today have other associations with Central Asia: lots of oil and gas, long-sitting tyrants, and violent steppe regions inhabited by uncultured types.
In this video journalists Ruben Terlou and Jelle Brandt Corstius begin their journey in Samarkand, a city in Uzbekistan. Samarkand was once an important hub along the ancient Silk Road; now it is hosting perhaps the biggest political summit of the year. It is the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which brings together many Asian countries.
The leaders who attend represent more than half the world's population. Western leaders are nowhere to be seen, but Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are there. The luxurious setting of the summit contrasts sharply with the daily reality in many Central Asian countries. From Samarkand, Jelle and Ruben travel further into the region.
Ruben travels along Pakistan's spectacular Karakoram Highway, built by the Chinese in the 1970s and symbolic of the deep friendship between the two countries. He has a special encounter with the man who devotes his entire life to caring for the graves of deceased Chinese road workers.
But Ruben also travels to Tajikistan, a country that exemplifies Central Asia. Sandwiched between two superpowers, Russia and China. The old Soviet feeling is still cherished. But China is meanwhile rattling the gate with a bag of money.
Jelle visits a uranium mine in Uzbekistan, which closed when the Soviet Union fell apart. The former director of the mine grew up in Soviet times. Along with many of his contemporaries, he still mourns the demise of the Soviet Union.
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I missed those guys so much. The China and Russia series are some of the best documentaries I have ever watched. So glad to see them again, and together!
Ruben Terlou 😍 My favorite guy from the Vpro world stories. What a fantastic channel that was!
Wonderful insight into a different world, thank you
It is interesting to watch some details of this documentary and the perspective of European man. First: Those two, tell us that China has hunger for expansion. In the area of border with Pakistan, I mean it is 100 metres away. Then, what those journalists do there, came almost from thousand kilometres away? Second that Pakistani soldier, who waits for a week to meet his wife and children. It is interesting to ask how long those two journalists are aparted from their family? Are they married at all? Or their inevitable passion for exploration is bigger that family and children - useless staff?
The problem is the hospitality. Hospitality of that border soldier which provide sensitive information like not infrared cameras installed at heights. That is surely confidential.....It is like they are an open book providing these information as a part of being open and sincere as they culture and religion.
Third, one of then comments that after Soviet Union it is like Central Asia countries waiting for another substitution, hinting China. Once again, from European perspective this substitution should be Europe, right? ))) They will bring democracy, equality and prosperity as they did in Africa, India and America, Middle East, Vietnam, Libya, right? What a fascinating story! Two journalists like Gertruda Bell spreading democracy to all Central Asia.
Yes. That is funny that Europe explored and exploited these lands hundred years ago, however that Pakistani old man doesnt even know what Europe looks like. For him Korean or European should be the same. Someone should tell him that Pakistan and Afghanistan was created by Britain as a buffer zone between India and potential invaders. That was done after Napoleon and Alexander II decided to invade India to cut Britain from rich resources.
School, Pakistan, Chinese language. Interesting right? Should I write how many countries, their mother language and culture was impacted by Europe? Really should I ? I cant get the irony. It is like you want to laugh, but it is so serious that you want to cry )))
I agree with you pal. Though as a Chinese, I'm not fond of the Chinese government but I do appreciate the road, school built by nation-owned companies in other countries.
Visually enriched journalism. I love this format and the unique perspectives discussed with as much transparency as can be expected given the climate around such topics. I dig it. Keep'em coming! My dream as a young archaeologist was to someday travel the original silk road with livestock and the experts that move them.
Could you please halo the closed captions just a bit more to make them more readable- especially during rapid conversation?
Thank you for bringing the viewer world with you! This is phenomenal!
Where can I find the rest of your episodes?
Thank you for sharing 🙏 - most interesting project in the World that I have followed for 4 years. We had studied history about Old Silk Road in school. I have to say that very impressed of Chinese - And China as the Greatest Country.. Specially my ancestor from Chaina to Thailand for 120 years ago. Best Wishes from STOCKHOLM - SWEDEN 🌼🌷🌺🌲🌲
I was ripped that the Gilgiti soldier looked as "white" as the Nederlander but he is South Asian ethnically like myself. One shade of brown to another. From the north to the south. It shows what an absurd stupid concept racism is. Ironically I have grown up in the west and have an RP accent.
🇵🇰🇵🇰🤮🤮🇮🇳🇮🇳🤮🤮🇮🇳🇮🇳🤮🤮🇵🇰💩🇮🇳💩💩🇵🇰💩💩
@@BisselleWixxelle Why so hyper? I am not born in India nor Pakistan nor Sri Lanka etc.etc
Unfortunalty alot of pakistanis don't realise alot of their dna is of Greek mixture which is white. Disappointing they do nor understand history
Intriguing perspective
"They don't all have to become authoritarian regimes." 🤣😂
Doing business is not shabby. What is shabby is not having capital or brains. But being like me is just plain shabby
Pl3ase gellet present your programm alone
Bad timing with this video... I don't think Russia is anywhere near superpower status any more 😅
Militarily it's one of top power's in the world but ur Western eyes don't wanna see it
29:50 that explains how Stalin has come again...
It is a bad sign when one of the main characters in the documentary doesn't know how to pronounce the Chinese President Xi Jinping's name.
Actually it's Winnie the fl0000
Lopez Karen Hernandez Michael Taylor Mark
you are mocking the name of the president of China, how unprofessional can you be ?!
Xhitler
Boohoo, they're mean to him. Grow up man.
please dubb it in english