In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping launched his massive new Silk Roads project, officially called the Belt and Road Initiative. Since then, some 150 countries have joined this initiative aimed, among other things, at building roads, railways and ports to facilitate trade with China. Images of the journey to Kazakhstan, between Almaty and Chimkent. This report was financed thanks to the support of the Transat-International Journalism Fund.The duty.
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A woman chats with a motorist in front of the central station in Almaty, the economic capital of Kazakhstan. Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir
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Street scene in Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir
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Children play soccer in the Akbulak neighborhood, a residential suburb of Almaty built on the land of a former Soviet-era collective farm. Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir
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A woman exercises on a public gym in the Akbulak neighborhood. This residential suburb of Almaty was built on the land of a former Soviet-era collective farm. Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir
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A small neighborhood grocery store in Akbulak, a residential suburb of Almaty. A driver smokes a cigarette in the same neighborhood. Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir
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The office of the Confucius Institute in Almaty, in the heart of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. These institutes are central players in China’s cultural relations and influential diplomacy, in Kazakhstan and elsewhere. Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir
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In the premises of the Sinology Kazakhstan language school, located in the center of Almaty. From left to right: Madina, Dasha, Arthur, teacher Oksana Adilova, the founder of the establishment Mei Yitan, as well as her daughter. Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir
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You can find everything at the Yalyan market, on the outskirts of Almaty. For miles, a dizzying mix of electronic devices, tools, stationery, jewelry and various gadgets are offered to customers eager to pay as little as possible. Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir
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At the exit of the Yalyan market, on the outskirts of Almaty, men are busy filling car trunks or hanging boxes directly on the roofs of vehicles. “Everything, everything, everything comes from China,” says Emmy, a market seller. Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir
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On the platform of Almaty station, two controllers pose proudly in front of the train where they will live and work for the next two days. Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir
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Scene of life inside the train connecting the Kazakh cities of Almaty and Chimkent. Under cover of the night and the long journey, this woman sleeps soundly. Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir
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Two train company employees pose in the dining car of the train connecting the Kazakh cities of Almaty and Chimkent, along the Trans-Caspian Corridor. Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir
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The agri-food company AsiaAgroFood, based in the town of Jibek Joly (literally “Silk Road” in Kazakh), hopes that the Belt and Road Initiative will allow it to double its cereal exports to China. Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir
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The entrance to the Qyrgy Bazaar, one of the large public markets of Chimkent, a historic trading center of the ancient Silk Roads and today the third largest city in Kazakhstan, with a million inhabitants. Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir
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A woman in traditional costume prepares “bauytsaq” (doughnuts) in the shelter of the Chimkent citadel, a historic landmark visited by many groups of tourists. Behind her, statues reproduce camels and traders from a Silk Road caravan. Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir
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Formerly razed, the Chimkent citadel, which served to protect travelers on the Silk Road, has been completely rebuilt in recent years. It is now a must for tourists. Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir
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