China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway
| China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Native name | 中吉乌铁路 / Кытай–Кыргызстан–Өзбекстан темир жолу / Хитой–Қирғизистон–Ўзбекистон темир йўли |
| Status | Under construction |
| Owner | Governments of China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan |
| Locale | China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan |
| Termini |
|
| Stations | To be determined |
| Service | |
| Type | Freight and passenger |
| System | Belt and Road Initiative |
| Operator(s) | TBD |
| History | |
| Opened | Expected 2029[1] |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 523[2] km (325 mi) |
| Number of tracks | 1 (initial) |
| Track gauge | Standard gauge (China), Russian gauge (Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan) |
| Electrification | Planned |
The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway (CKU railway) is an international railway project currently under construction, aimed at connecting Kashgar in western China with Andijan in eastern Uzbekistan via Kyrgyzstan. The railway is a strategic infrastructure component of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), designed to reduce overland shipping times between China and Europe and enhance regional connectivity in Central Asia.
Background
Plans for the railway date back to the early 1990s, shortly after the independence of Central Asian states from the Soviet Union. However, the project was repeatedly delayed due to financing difficulties, disagreements over technical standards, and geopolitical considerations.[3]
In September 2022, the three countries signed a memorandum of understanding to proceed with a feasibility study.[4] The final agreement to begin construction was signed in June 2024 during a trilateral summit in Beijing.[1][2]
Route
The proposed route will span approximately 523 kilometers, of which 213 kilometers will pass through mountainous terrain in Kyrgyzstan. The route is expected to follow this corridor:
- Kashgar (China)
- Torugart Pass (border crossing into Kyrgyzstan)
- Makmal – Jergetal – Kochkor – Kazarman
- Jalal-Abad – Uzgen
- Andijan (Uzbekistan)
The line will connect to existing rail networks in China and Uzbekistan, allowing onward transit to Europe, Iran, and Turkey via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.[5]
Construction
Construction officially began in 2025 and will take four years to complete. The railway will initially be a single-track, non-electrified line, with electrification and dual-gauge conversion planned in a second phase. The standard gauge used in China (1,435 mm) differs from the Russian gauge (1,520 mm) used in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, necessitating either a break-of-gauge facility or variable gauge axles.[6]
Funding will be provided through a combination of Chinese concessional loans, multilateral development financing, and domestic contributions from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.[7]
Economic Significance
The CKU railway is expected to:
- Reduce transit time between China and Europe by 7–10 days compared to the northern route via Russia;
- Provide Kyrgyzstan with a direct railway link to China for the first time in its history;
- Improve trade and logistics efficiency across Central Asia;
- Reduce reliance on sanctioned transit routes through Russia.
The World Bank and IMF have identified the project as a potential game-changer for Kyrgyzstan’s export capacity and regional integration.[8]
See also
- Belt and Road Initiative
- Trans-Caspian International Transport Route
- Rail transport in China
- Rail transport in Kyrgyzstan
- Rail transport in Uzbekistan
References
- ^ a b "China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project launched". Xinhua. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ^ a b RFE/RL (6 June 2024). "China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan Sign Landmark Railway Deal". Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ^ "China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway gains momentum". Eurasianet. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ^ "Kyrgyzstan, China, and Uzbekistan Sign MoU on Railway". Asian Development Bank. 15 September 2022.
- ^ Trade Corridors and Economic Connectivity (Report). World Bank. 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ^ Feasibility Study for China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway (PDF) (Report). Asian Development Bank. 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ^ "China Offers Financing Package for CKU Railway". Reuters. 6 June 2024.
- ^ Kyrgyz Republic Economic Update – Spring 2025 (Report). IMF. May 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.