Three nations—China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan—are preparing for a landmark event this August with the commencement of construction on a railway that will connect their territories. Kamchibek Tashiev, head of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) of the Kyrgyz Republic, announced that Presidents Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan and Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan will join President Xi Jinping in Beijing for the inauguration ceremony.
"The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project, long the subject of ambitious plans and diplomatic efforts, took a significant step forward with the signing of a cooperation agreement between our governments in Beijing on June 6," Tashiev stated.
Despite delays, Uzbekistan has completed all necessary paperwork, with President Mirziyoyev approving the agreement. Kyrgyzstan, having received parliamentary approval, awaits final endorsement by its president.
Tashiev emphasized the project’s economic impact on Kyrgyzstan, especially alongside the $4bn Kambar-Ata HPP-1 hydroelectric power station.
"The financing for the railway project totals about $5 bn,"
he noted, highlighting its potential to stimulate economic growth and generate employment opportunities.
Experts view the railway as a transformative infrastructure project that will enhance trade, investment, and regional stability. Alexandra Perminova, a research fellow at the Center for Central Asian Studies, showed its strategic importance for Beijing. "The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway opens new trade routes to Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia, aligning closely with China's Belt and Road initiative," she remarked.
However, concerns about debt dependency on China remain. Perminova highlighted the growing credit debt of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to China as a potential challenge.
"Kyrgyzstan faces legal restrictions on borrowing from a single foreign creditor, nearing limits set by national law," she cautioned.
The financing structure, where China holds a 51% stake in the joint venture, raises questions about long-term economic balance and debt sustainability.
"In Kyrgyzstan, the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway will provide access to sea routes through Uzbekistan, the Caspian Sea, and Turkey, opening new trade corridors to Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean," noted political scientist Nargiza Muratalieva.
She stressed the need for complementary infrastructure development and workforce training to fully capitalize on the railway’s economic potential.
Eduard Poletaev, a Kazakh political scientist, viewed the project through a geopolitical lens, describing it as a tool of Chinese soft power aimed at regional development.
"Despite potential challenges such as cost uncertainties and infrastructure limitations, the project symbolizes a significant step in fostering regional integration," he observed.
As preparations intensify for the August launch ceremony, the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project represents a pivotal milestone in enhancing regional connectivity and economic cooperation.
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