Cairo: Hani Kamal El-Din
In a landmark move set to reshape the economic and geopolitical landscape of Central Asia, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan have officially launched construction of a long-anticipated railway project that will connect the Chinese city of Kashgar with the heart of Central Asia, significantly reducing cargo transit times between East Asia and Europe.
The project, dubbed the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan (CKU) Railway, has been decades in the making and marks a major step forward in Beijing’s efforts to create new trade corridors under the broader Belt and Road Initiative. The railway will stretch over 523 kilometers, cutting through mountainous terrain and requiring the construction of 27 tunnels and 46 bridges, with roughly 40% of the line crossing the rugged landscapes of Kyrgyzstan.
With a total projected cost of $4.7 billion, the trilateral venture is being executed through a joint company formed by the three nations. China holds a 51% stake, while Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan each hold 24.5%. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in the Suzak district of southern Kyrgyzstan, attended by high-level officials, engineers, and diplomats from all three countries.
The railway is seen as a transformative project for regional trade and infrastructure. It will provide a shorter, more efficient route for Chinese exports to Europe, bypassing longer passages through Russia or Iran. It also boosts Kyrgyzstan’s and Uzbekistan’s positions as vital transit hubs in a rapidly evolving trade network stretching from East Asia to the European continent.
The Chinese segment of the railway will begin in Kashgar, extending 158 kilometers to the Torugart Pass at the Kyrgyz border. From there, the line will run 305 kilometers through Kyrgyz territory, ending with a 60-kilometer stretch inside Uzbekistan, where it will connect with the national rail network at the city of Andijan.
Engineers face significant logistical and geological challenges, especially in Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous regions. The line’s central stretch will include three major tunnels spanning over 37 kilometers in total, in addition to 20 railway stations—many of which will be equipped for cargo handling, customs checks, and transit logistics.
Beyond transport, the project promises broader economic impact: officials estimate it will generate over 20,000 direct jobs during construction. It is also expected to catalyze development across sectors such as logistics, warehousing, energy, and regional trade services.
China has pledged $2.35 billion in low-interest financing, covering half of the total cost. Uzbekistan has allocated $255 million for its share of the investment, while Kyrgyzstan will contribute more than 11 billion soms ($123 million approx.), including domestic budget allocations and financial support from multilateral lenders.
Analysts view the project as more than an infrastructure achievement—it is a strategic step toward economic integration, regional autonomy, and diversification of trade routes away from traditional corridors. For Beijing, the CKU railway offers a critical alternative route into Europe, reducing reliance on routes that have become increasingly vulnerable to political risks and logistical bottlenecks.
Once operational, the CKU railway will play a central role in shaping the future of trans-Eurasian freight, linking one of China’s westernmost cities with major commercial centers in Central Asia, and ultimately creating a seamless overland connection to Europe.
