A commencement ceremony is held for the fibre communication project linking China and Pakistan on May 19, 2016, in Gilgit, Pakistan. [Photo / CRI Online]

A fibre communication project linking China and Pakistan has started construction on Thursday, which will allow direct information exchange between the two countries.

The 820 kilometers long cable will be paved along the Karakoram Highway, from Kashgar in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to the North Pakistani city Thakot.

The construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2017. The Chinese government will offer interest-free loans, and the Export-Import Bank of China will give financing support.