In Beijing, an agreement was signed to construct a railway line from China through Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan, creating a new route that will connect China with Europe. The project, described by Xi Jinping as a “strategic project,” is set to begin by the end of 2024.
According to information from Beijing, the planned railway line will span 486 kilometers, with 312 kilometers running through Kyrgyzstan, including 57 tunnels. The lengths of the sections in China and Uzbekistan were not disclosed. The construction is estimated to cost $8 billion, though funding sources have not been revealed.
The leaders of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, both landlocked countries, have high hopes for the new railway project, anticipating economic and strategic benefits. The agreement was signed by Tilek Tekebayev, the Kyrgyzstan Minister of Transport and Communications; Zheng Shanjie, the Chairman of the Chinese State Development and Reform Committee; and Ilhom Mahkamov, the Uzbekistan Minister of Transport. Leaders from all three countries sent video messages to mark the occasion.
A Bridge in the Eurasian Space
President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, emphasized that this project will be a crucial element of the Belt and Road Initiative, symbolizing cooperation within a comprehensive strategic partnership between the Kyrgyz Republic, China, and Uzbekistan. He highlighted the creation of this key continental bridge in the Eurasian space, which is expected to significantly benefit the nations involved.
President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, noted that this railway line will be the shortest land route connecting China with the region. In the future, it will enable access to the markets of South Asia and the Middle East via a “promising” trans-Afghan corridor. He added that the annual freight traffic on the new railway could reach 15 million tonnes, reducing delivery times by seven days.
Strategic Project for China
Chinese leader Xi Jinping underscored the agreement’s significance, stating that it will greatly enhance strategic cooperation with Central Asian countries. He described the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway as a landmark project for the Belt and Road Initiative, strengthening connectivity between the nations.