The New Silk Road, Part 2: From Kyrgyzstan to Duisburg | DW Documentary

The script discusses the revival of China's ancient Silk Road as the New Silk Road, a massive infrastructure project involving investment in railways, harbors, streets, bridges, and tunnels across 65 countries. The project symbolizes China's power and ambition, offering opportunities for some while bringing misery to others. The journey retraces the routes from China to Germany, highlighting the historical and modern significance of the Silk Road, including its impact on local economies and cultures. The script also touches on the financial burden on countries like Kyrgyzstan due to infrastructure debts with Chinese companies and the hope for tourism and investment from China.

This paragraph delves into the cultural aspects and conflicts arising from the New Silk Road. It features the World Nomad Games, where traditions like falconry are celebrated, and the concerns over maintaining cultural identity amidst modernization. The script also discusses the environmental and social impacts of Chinese investments, such as protests over a gold mine in Kyrgyzstan and the health concerns related to gold mining. The narrative moves to the port of Gwadar in Pakistan, where China's strategic investments are expanding, and the local population is both hopeful and skeptical about the benefits of these developments.

The script focuses on China's investments in Pakistan, particularly in education and infrastructure. It highlights a school in Gwadar funded by Beijing and the Chinese-Pakistani collaboration on building roads. The narrative also touches on the security concerns for Chinese workers in the region due to violence and terrorism, and the political and economic implications of China's 40-year lease on the port of Gwadar. The script presents a complex picture of China's influence, with some seeing opportunities for development while others express fears of exploitation and environmental degradation.

This paragraph explores the maritime aspect of the New Silk Road, discussing the transportation of goods by ship and the impact on traditional shipbuilding. It features the last dow shipyard in Sur, where the craft is kept alive by the Al Laramie family. The script also discusses the transformation of a fishing village into a major hub on the New Silk Road, with the establishment of an economic free zone in Duhkham attracting Chinese investments. The narrative highlights the ambitious plans for industrial parks and the influx of Chinese workers, who are seen as industrious and contributing to the realization of China's plans.

The script takes us to Samarkand, a city with a rich history on the ancient Silk Road. It discusses the city's cultural and historical significance, including its madrasahs and the influence of ancient Persia. The narrative includes a visit to a bazaar in Bukhara, where historical artifacts and coins from various regions are traded, symbolizing the travel and trade that shaped the region. The script also touches on the modern implications of the New Silk Road, with Chinese investments in high-tech equipment and labor in Uzbekistan, and the concerns over human rights abuses in the cotton industry.

This paragraph describes Istanbul's role as the last capital of the Ottoman Empire and a jewel on the ancient Silk Road. It discusses the city's melancholic memory of lost grandeur and decay, as well as the impact of the economic crisis on local businesses, particularly in the spice market. The script follows the story of a shop owner in the Asian market who struggles with the decline in business due to the collapse of the Turkish lira and the changing dynamics of global trade.

The script discusses China's ambitious plans to build a high-speed rail corridor through the Balkans, aiming to open the door to Chinese goods and influence in Europe. It highlights the construction of a new high-speed rail link between Belgrade and Budapest, a flagship project of the China Railway Company. The narrative questions the high cost of the project and the model of Chinese loans and construction, which leaves others with the bill. The script also touches on the admiration for the Chinese system in Hungary and the potential implications for Europe as China's business model makes inroads on the continent.

This paragraph explores the Chinese presence in the French wine industry, with a focus on the acquisition of wineries in southwestern France by a Hong Kong-based entrepreneur. It discusses the family's latest acquisition, Chateau Bell for Bell CA, and their plans to restore and build their brand. The script also touches on the local perceptions of Chinese investments in Bordeaux, with mixed opinions on the impact of Chinese ownership on the region's cultural and economic landscape. The narrative highlights the personal and professional bridge built by a Chinese-French couple in the wine business, showcasing the interplay between culture, business, and globalization.

The script concludes in Duisburg, Germany, a city that has become Europe's main logistics hub due to its connection with the New Silk Road. It discusses the city's resurgence as a result of China's global ambitions and the acquisition of stakes in German companies. The narrative includes concerns about the imbalance in investment opportunities between China and Europe and the potential risks and opportunities posed by the New Silk Road. The script reflects on the project's global impact and the potential for prosperity, growth, and the challenges of balancing economic development with cultural preservation and social equity.