EARTHMOVING
On December 20, at the Third People's Kurultai Conference, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov announced that the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway is set to officially commence construction on December 27.
In his address, Zhaparov stated, "When we embarked on this project, many were skeptical, even ridiculing it as a mere fairy tale. Today, it's evident to all that this is no fairy tale, but a tangible and significant endeavor." He further emphasized that the project "will serve as a strategic bridge between the East and the West, unlocking new horizons in trade, tourism, and industry."
On the same day, a signing ceremony for the investment agreement between Kyrgyzstan and China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway Co., Ltd. took place at the Kyrgyz Presidential Palace. During the ceremony, Kyrgyz Deputy Prime Minister Torobayev remarked that this day held historic significance for the three nations. He noted that the signing of the agreement "signifies that this large-scale infrastructure project of regional and international importance has officially transitioned into the implementation phase."
The concept of constructing the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway dates back to 1997, when China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan signed a memorandum of cooperation for a railway project linking the three countries. As planned, the railway will extend westward from Kashgar in Xinjiang, China, pass through Karasu in Kyrgyzstan, and terminate in Andijan, Uzbekistan. The railway is approximately 523 kilometers in length, with 213 kilometers in China, 260 kilometers in Kyrgyzstan, and about 50 kilometers in Uzbekistan. Upon completion, it will serve as the shortest freight route from China to Europe and the Middle East, reducing the transportation distance by 900 kilometers and saving 7 to 8 days in transit time.
Since the memorandum was signed, the project has faced significant hurdles within Kyrgyzstan, leading to a lack of substantial progress and even a temporary shelving. In January 2021, Sadyr Japarov emerged victorious in Kyrgyzstan's presidential election. Upon assuming office, Japarov expressed high expectations for the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway project, repeatedly highlighting its strategic importance to Kyrgyzstan. In February 2022, he stated, "The swift implementation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway project is a crucial step in fully unlocking the transit potential in Central Asia and a vital component in advancing the joint construction of the 'Belt and Road' initiative." Since that time, Japarov has frequently expressed his anticipation for the project's advancement.
