This new route aims to strengthen economic ties across the region, reduce transit times, and ultimately bypass Russia. The news was first reported by the Kyrgyz news outlet Tazabek.
Details of the Project
New Transport Corridor:
- The railway will connect Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Torugart, Makmal, and Jalal-Abad in Kyrgyzstan, continuing on to Andijan in Uzbekistan.
- This route is planned to eventually connect to other Central Asian railway networks, facilitating further access to Turkey, the Caspian Sea, and ultimately to European Union markets.
Strategic Importance:
- The line is part of a “southern bridge” across Eurasia, providing shorter and more diversified trade routes.
- It aims to reduce reliance on northern routes that pass through Russian territory, effectively offering a new corridor for goods heading west from China.
Reduced Delivery Times:
- According to officials, the new route will cut the transit time to European end-consumers by up to seven days compared to existing options.
- The prospective freight capacity is expected to reach 15 million tons per year.
Statements by Kyrgyz President
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov has emphasized that this railway “will become a branch of the southern bridge of the Eurasian continent,” opening access to West Asia and the Middle East. He also noted:
“The project will serve to strengthen regional ties and diversify transport routes, which will increase the competitiveness of the region as a transport transit hub.”
Zhaparov further underscored the broader potential of the route for delivering goods not only to regional destinations but also to Turkey and Europe.
Project Cost and Structure
Financial Overview:
- The total cost of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway is projected at $4.7 billion.
- An investment agreement was signed on December 20 in Bishkek between the Kyrgyz government and the joint China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway Company.
Ownership Shares:
- China holds a 51% stake in the joint venture.
- Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan each control 24.5%.
Economic Benefits:
- The participating states expect increased freight revenue and enhanced regional economic cooperation.
- Local infrastructure, business development, and job creation are also anticipated outcomes of this major undertaking.
Conclusions and Outlook
The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project marks a pivotal development in Central Asian logistics and international trade. By providing a new east-west connection that circumvents Russia, it could reshape the region’s economic landscape, offering shorter shipping times and enhanced trade diversification. With potential future links to Turkey and Europe, this rail corridor may play a key role in strengthening Central Asia’s position as a transit and trade hub in the years to come.
