Kyrgyz leader: New China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad to bridge East and West

The construction of a pivotal railroad connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan has officially begun, marking a significant step towards enhancing trade and connectivity between Central Asia and Europe.

This new corridor will facilitate the flow of goods from China through Central Asia, ultimately reaching European Union markets.

At the ceremonial groundbreaking on December 27 in Kyrgyzstan, President Sadyr Zhaparov emphasized that the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway would not only serve as a strategic infrastructure project but also act as a vital link between the East and the West, Caliber.Az reports referring to Kyrgyz media.

“This railway will be a branch of the southern bridge of the Eurasian continent, connecting markets from West Asia to the Middle East,” Zhaparov stated. “This route will allow for goods to travel from China to Kyrgyzstan, from there to Central Asia, and eventually reach Turkey and the European Union.”

Zhaparov further explained that the project would strengthen regional ties and diversify transport routes, boosting the region's competitiveness as a global transit hub.

The planned railroad will span from Kashgar in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, passing through Kyrgyzstan's Torugart, Makmal, and Jalal-Abad, before reaching Andijan in Uzbekistan. Future plans include extending the route to other Central Asian nations, with goods then being transported to the Caspian Sea, and eventually onward to Turkey and Europe.

The project carries a hefty price tag of $4.7 billion. On December 20, an investment agreement was signed in Bishkek between the Kyrgyz government and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway Company, a joint venture where Beijing holds a 51% stake, and Bishkek and Tashkent each hold 24.5%.

With an estimated transport volume of 15 million tons, the railroad is expected to reduce the travel time for goods from China to Europe by seven days.

This project is part of China's ambitious “Belt and Road” initiative, launched in 2013, which aims to revive and expand the historic Silk Road. The initiative envisions connecting Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe through overland and maritime routes, enhancing trade and cultural exchange between the East and West.

By Tamilla Hasanova