But one cannot doubt whether the world's second largest economy is instrumental in rebuilding the ancient Silk Road.

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Central Asia has been a geostrategic crossroads of people, capital and ideas since the first Han dynasty caravans traveled the ancient Silk Road.

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He began his collection, now housed in the Karakalpak Museum of Art in Nukus, near the ancient Silk Road, in the late 1960s.

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The conversion is rejuvenating China's ancient Silk Road to the west, immortalised by Marco Polo in the 14th century but rarely used since sea routes made the camel trains redundant.

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He was a religious genius who grew up on the Silk Road in ancient Palestine, on that magical trade route connecting East and West.

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