On 6 June, an intergovernmental agreement on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project was signed in Beijing.
The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is a strategic infrastructure project designed to create a new land transport corridor between Central and East Asia.
The agreement, which marks an important step in progressing the project, lists principles and mechanisms for cooperation between the three countries concerning financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of the railway.
In accordance with the agreement, the railway will run through Kashgar (China) – Torugart – Makmal – Jalalabad (Kyrgyzstan) – Andijan (Uzbekistan), with a modern transit and logistics infrastructure, warehouses and terminals created along the route.
Once completed, the railway will transport an annual cargo of 15 million tons, and reduce time taken for delivery to consumers by 7 days.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov, and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the event via a video link.
Kyrgyz President Japarov described the agreement as “a historical event marking the long-awaited start of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway construction project – which will – open new transportation routes to European countries and the Persian Gulf.”
Uzbek President Mirziyoyev likewise remarked on the historical significance of the signing, and stated, “This railway will become the shortest land link connecting China with our region. In the future, it will allow access through the promising Trans-Afghan corridor to the capacious markets of the countries of South Asia and the Middle East.”
Chinese President Xi emphasized that the railway is a strategic project of connectivity between China and Central Asia and a landmark in the three countries’ cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
According to the Chinese leader, China is ready to work with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan on the launch of the project as early as possible, to boost the regions’ economic and social development .
