Central Asian landlocked countries have long lacked convenient railway channels directly to China, and cross-border travel often requires multiple transfers, resulting in long travel times. With the steady progress of the construction of the China Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan railway, this situation is expected to change. The project leader revealed to the public that the reserved passenger transportation function of the route will enable local residents to take trains directly to China in the future, and the plan to provide comfortable and modern passenger cars will also make this cross-border channel not only a major freight artery, but also a new link for personnel exchange.

Balancing both passenger and freight use

The relevant person in charge of Zhongjiwu Railway Company introduced that the line carries both freight and passenger tasks, and the project party plans to purchase modern and comfortable high-speed passenger carriages. The specific operating route of passenger transportation is still in the research and demonstration stage. According to the plan, the entire railway is expected to be completed and put into operation by 2031. The total length of the line in Kyrgyzstan is 304 kilometers, and 29 tunnels and 50 bridges need to be built along the way, with complex construction conditions.

The project is progressing in an orderly manner

The tunnel construction of this project will start in April 2025, and the main line construction will enter the trial phase in the autumn of that year. As a backbone channel connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, the project construction overcomes the challenges of complex mountainous terrain, with a high proportion of bridges and tunnels, making construction difficult. After the completion of the line, it will fill the railway gap from southern Central Asia to China and reshape the regional land logistics pattern.Keywords: China Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Railway, Central Asia, Interconnection

Promote mutual communication and exchange

This railway is a landmark interconnection project in Central Asia under the the Belt and Road framework. After the implementation of passenger transportation functions, personnel exchanges between the three regions have become more convenient, providing new carriers for economic, trade, cultural, and tourism exchanges. In addition to freight channels, personnel flow channels have been built to continuously deepen practical cooperation between China and Central Asian countries.Editor/Li Xiaohua