Belt and Road Initiative - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 82

Transport and Logistics

Bottlenecked: Eurasia’s Freight Lifelines Falter

Amid heightened geopolitical tensions and stricter border regulations, key transit routes linking China and Europe via Kazakhstan and Belarus have experienced severe disruptions. The resulting bottlenecks have exposed the fragility of Eurasian logistics and cast doubt on the reliability of the overland corridors central to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. From Military Maneuvers to Transport Gridlock For over two decades, Kazakhstan has invested heavily in developing its transit potential, aiming to become the main bridge between China and Europe. But in September and October this year, logistical bottlenecks began to appear, chiefly at border crossings. The disruptions were triggered by the closure of Belarusian‑Polish checkpoints following the launch of the Zapad 2025 military exercises (12‑16 September 2025) conducted by Russia and Belarus. On September 12, the day the exercises began, Poland suspended road and rail traffic after drones reportedly entered its airspace. Belarus claimed the drones had veered off course due to electronic warfare measures involving Russia and Ukraine. Despite this explanation, Poland invoked Article 4 of the NATO charter, prompting the alliance to launch Operation Eastern Sentry to bolster its eastern flank. The closure lasted nearly two weeks, during which more than 130 freight trains from China, carrying cargo worth billions of euros, were stranded. The China Factor and Limited Alternatives China responded diplomatically: on 15 September, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Warsaw; on 22 September, Politburo member Li Xi visited Minsk. Despite these efforts, border reopening was not immediately expedited. Alternative routes proved inadequate. The Trans‑Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) — through Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea — is growing but still modest in capacity. In 2022 its potential was assessed at around 80,000 TEU annually. Some forecasts estimate it may rise to 10 million tons per year by 2027, but it remains well short of the volumes handled by the northern rail corridor. According to Logistan, the route currently has a monthly capacity of under 10,000 TEU, far short of the 40,000 TEU demand. The World Bank estimates that upgrading Middle Corridor infrastructure will require $27-$29 billion over 15 years, primarily for rail and port development. Amid these limitations, China tested a new maritime option: in September, an ice-class container vessel departed Ningbo-Zhoushan for the UK via the Northern Sea Route. The move indicates Beijing’s growing interest in Arctic alternatives to land corridors. Kazakhstan-Russia Hubs and “Gray” Transit As disruptions continued on the western flank, issues emerged in the south. Since mid-June, Russian logistics companies have reported delays at Kazakhstan’s border crossings. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Finance attributed the slowdowns to increased inspections aimed at intercepting counterfeit goods. Forbes reported that roughly 7,000 trucks, carrying Chinese cargo worth hundreds of millions of dollars, were stranded. Many shipments used simplified declarations, often disguised as textiles or raw materials, and sometimes included dual-use items. Despite denials from both Kazakh and Russian authorities, freight companies cited congestion stretching for kilometers. The situation worsened after Russia imposed new migration rules restricting Kazakh drivers to 90 days of stay per year. The Kazakh government...

Soft Power

Beneath the Silk Road: China’s Archaeological Diplomacy in Uzbekistan

As China’s economic footprint expands across Central Asia, Beijing is quietly pursuing another, subtler form of influence - one that reaches beneath the soil rather than above it. Alongside highways, pipelines, and industrial parks, China is investing in archaeological diplomacy that uses shared history and cultural discovery to deepen ties with its neighbors. Uzbekistan has emerged as a key partner in this effort. Beyond trade and infrastructure, the two countries are now working hand in hand to uncover the remnants of ancient civilizations that once thrived along the Silk Road. This collaboration combines science and strategy, offering a soft power approach that complements China’s growing hard power presence in the region. Across Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya, Samarkand, Ferghana, and Khorezm regions, joint Chinese-Uzbek teams are making discoveries. One notable example is the joint Chinese-Uzbek team working at the Chinar-Tepa site in the upper Surkhandarya River valley, where researchers have uncovered more than 30 ancient house foundations along with a rich collection of cultural artifacts. Another major project has revealed the remains of an Iron Age city-state in the Surkhandarya River basin in southern Uzbekistan. These findings are the result of three excavation seasons conducted between 2024 and 2025, during which the joint team surveyed 47 sites across the basin and identified the area as a major center of ancient Bactria. This cooperation is not just confined to the field. In October 2023, Ferghana State University and Chinese partners launched a joint archaeology department. Their subsequent joint studies of the ancient city of Kuva have revealed key insights into urban planning, including city walls, moats, and roads dating back centuries. Meanwhile, China’s funding for the restoration of the ancient city of Khiva highlights another layer of cultural collaboration on the preservation of shared heritage. For both countries, archaeology is more than an academic pursuit; it's a bridge between culture, economy, and future cooperation. For Uzbekistan, cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are already world-renowned tourist destinations. The government’s ambition to attract up to 15 million foreign visitors underscores tourism’s growing role in national development. Unearthing new historical sites expands this potential, offering travelers a richer experience that spans both the pre-Islamic and Islamic eras. Each discovery deepens the cultural map of Uzbekistan, and each new site means more visitors, more investment, and greater economic diversification for the state. Beyond the economic dimension, the partnership with China is also cultivating a new generation of experts in archaeology and heritage preservation. Many members of these joint excavation teams belong to the post-2000 generation, young professionals who are gaining firsthand experience through collaboration. With access to cutting-edge technologies such as drone-based aerial photography, geomagnetic surveying, and 3D modeling, Uzbek archaeologists and students are learning to combine traditional excavation with modern science. Over time, this knowledge transfer strengthens the country’s human capital base, empowering Uzbekistan to pursue its own archaeological research and heritage conservation independently on a larger scale. For China, promoting joint archaeological exploration aligns closely with the Belt and Road Initiative’s vision of soft connectivity....

Railways

Central Asia’s Rail Corridors: U.S. and Chinese Partnerships in Perspective

Kazakhstan’s railways are modernizing with a U.S. supplier, while Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are advancing a new trans‑mountain link with China. On September 22, 2025, Wabtec and KTZ announced a multi‑year locomotive and services package worth about $4.2 billion, described by the company as its “largest” agreement. In parallel, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan formalized a joint company to build the long-planned CKU railway, with China holding a 51% stake. Central Asia’s rail networks are thus being reshaped by two major partnerships - one with the United States and one with China. Rather than a zero-sum rivalry, these projects show how regional governments are pursuing different infrastructure strategies to expand connectivity. Kazakhstan and Wabtec: Modernizing an Existing Network In September 2025, Kazakhstan’s railway operator KTZ signed a $4.2 billion agreement with U.S.-based Wabtec for 300 Evolution Series ES44ACi locomotives. The diesel-electric engines are tailored for Kazakhstan’s 1,520 mm gauge network and harsh climate, replacing aging Soviet-era stock. Wabtec finalized full ownership of the Astana locomotive plant in late 2023; production and services for 1,520-mm stock are now fully under Wabtec’s Kazakhstan subsidiary. Local manufacturing and long-term service contracts are expected to expand domestic engineering capacity. The locomotives’ digital diagnostic systems should improve fuel efficiency and maintenance intervals. According to the official Wabtec press release, the agreement “strengthens KTZ’s role as a critical and reliable hub for the Middle Corridor,” while KTZ CEO Talgat Aldybergenov said it “confirms our commitment to advanced technologies in the transport sector”. Rail accounts for about 64% of Kazakhstan’s freight turnover (2024), so locomotive performance directly affects Middle Corridor throughput. Financing details have not been disclosed, but the purchase appears to be domestically funded through KTZ and state support. For Astana, the order fits its multi-vector foreign-policy approach: Kazakhstan continues its partnerships with France’s Alstom, China’s CRRC, and Russia, maintaining balance across suppliers. While the locomotives are diesel, Kazakhstan is also electrifying key lines with European partners. Diesels provide an immediate boost without new catenary investment, and Wabtec claims lower emissions than previous models. Over time, expanded electrification could complement this upgrade. Overall, the Wabtec partnership represents incremental modernization. This is an interoperability-based approach that strengthens existing routes rather than building new corridors from scratch. [caption id="attachment_37655" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Image: trains.com - One of Kazakhstan’s modern Evolution Series diesel locomotives (model TE33A) produced through a partnership with U.S. firm Wabtec. Kazakhstan’s railways carry about 64% of the country’s freight, making such upgrades crucial for trade connectivity.[/caption] The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan (CKU) Railway: Building a New Corridor After nearly three decades of discussion, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan launched construction of the CKU railway in late 2024. The 523 km line will run from Kashgar (Xinjiang) through the Kyrgyz mountain ranges to Andijan, Uzbekistan. It will provide a second direct China–Central Asia connection, bypassing reliance on Kazakhstan’s network. The CKU is designed with dual gauges: standard (1,435 mm) in China and broad (1,520 mm) in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, with a dry-port transshipment hub in Makmal, Kyrgyzstan. This compromise allows integration with existing Central...

Foreign Investment

Climbing the Value Chain: Uzbekistan’s Textile Transformation Through Chinese Investment

As relations between China and Uzbekistan deepen, cooperation is no longer confined to the traditional pillars of energy and infrastructure. The partnership has begun to branch into new and diverse areas, adding layers of complexity and opportunity to their bilateral ties. Emerging sectors such as pharmaceuticals and waste-to-energy are gaining traction, signaling a shift toward a more multidimensional relationship. At the same time, the textile industry has become an increasingly important bridge between the two countries, offering fresh avenues for collaboration. Recent agreements highlight this momentum. In the upstream segment of Uzbekistan’s textile sector, China Hi-Tech Holding has committed to a major investment in synthetic fiber and viscose yarn production. This move is particularly significant for Uzbekistan, as it reduces reliance on cotton and secures inputs essential for modern mixed-fabric production. Midstream, cooperation is expanding as well. An agreement between Uzbekistan and China’s Fong Group to develop dyeing and finishing facilities for mixed fabrics underscores the practical steps being taken to create a more integrated textile supply chain. These developments also reflect a broader trend of growing Chinese interest in Uzbekistan’s domestic market and its strategic location at the crossroads of the Middle East and Europe. With its young population and export potential, Uzbekistan is increasingly attractive to Chinese textile companies. The Red Dragonfly Group’s plan to establish a manufacturing base in Uzbekistan by 2026 is a clear example of how Chinese firms see the country not only as a production hub but as a gateway to wider regional markets. One of the main reasons Uzbekistan is emerging as a crucial destination for Chinese companies is the shifting incentive structure that encourages the relocation of manufacturing capacity abroad. Rising labor costs in China, particularly in the labor-intensive textile sector, are placing companies under pressure amid fierce domestic competition. In contrast, Uzbekistan offers an appealing alternative where the average monthly wage for a skilled worker is around 200-400 dollars, and energy costs are just 0.04 dollars per kilowatt-hour. Together, these factors significantly lower production costs and make the country highly attractive for firms seeking to maintain competitiveness. Equally important are Uzbekistan’s proactive regulatory policies, which create a favorable business climate for foreign investors. The government has relied heavily on Special Economic Zones and Small Industrial Zones and offers tiered incentive packages that reward higher commitments. Investors contributing between 3 and 5 million dollars receive three years of income tax holidays, while investments of 5 to 15 million dollars are rewarded with a five-year exemption. Those exceeding 15 million dollars benefit from an unprecedented ten-year tax holiday. Moreover, starting in September 2025, the social tax rate for textile companies and clusters will be cut to 1% for three years. At the same time, imports of blended fabrics and raw materials for the leather and sericulture industries will be exempt from customs duties. These measures provide Chinese companies with tangible cost advantages that rival opportunities in Southeast Asia. Another powerful driver is geopolitics. Growing trade tensions between China and the West, particularly the...

SCO Summit

Central Asia Advances Agenda at Record-Breaking SCO Summit in Tianjin

At the opening ceremony of the SCO Summit in Tianjin on August 31, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined Central Asian leaders in a group photo. The Tianjin summit - China’s second time hosting the SCO and its “largest-ever” summit - was attended by all five Central Asian presidents alongside a host of key countries. In his welcome speech, Xi highlighted that the SCO now bears “greater responsibility” for safeguarding regional peace and stability, and said the summit was expected to produce a new 10-year development strategy. Xi proposed fast-tracking an SCO development bank, pledging 2 billion yuan ($280 million) in aid plus 10 billion yuan in loans to seed the fund. Xi also urged members to oppose a “Cold War mentality” and support an inclusive, multilateral trading system in a pointed rebuke to recent U.S. tariffs. Central Asian Leaders and Their Messages Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev opened the summit for his delegation, thanking Xi and praising China’s “consistent policy aimed at strengthening security, stability, economic cooperation, and cultural ties within the SCO framework.” In his address, Tokayev marked the symbolic 80th anniversaries of the end of World War II, noting the value of unity and solidarity which he said the SCO embodies. Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s support for a multipolar world order, respect for sovereignty, and mutually beneficial trade and investment, and pledged to keep combating the “three evils” of terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Beyond the opening remarks, Central Asian leaders used the summit to lay out their strategic priorities. Speaking at the heads-of-state meeting, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan called for further reform of SCO institutions and expansion of its dialogue partners. Mirziyoyev advocated for new cooperation mechanisms - a regional center for critical materials, a “Unified SCO Transport Space” linked to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, digital platforms, and green energy corridors - and proposed measures to boost intra-regional trade. Notably, Mirziyoyev urged the signing of an Agreement on Trade Facilitation, saying it “will give a boost to the growth of intra-regional trade within the SCO area.” In his closing remarks, he congratulated Kyrgyzstan’s Sadyr Japarov on assuming the SCO chairmanship for 2026, setting up the next summit. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon did not address the leaders’ meeting, but in a pre-summit interview, he highlighted China’s role in the SCO, crediting China with significant investment in Tajik infrastructure and energy, and welcoming Beijing’s proposal to locate an SCO Anti-Drug Center in Dushanbe. "We are confident that the center will make tangible contributions to strengthening regional cooperation and combating illicit drug trafficking," he stated. As a founding member, Rahmon stressed that the SCO’s top priority has long been Central Asian security and said that Tajikistan fully backs China’s Tianjin agenda, citing Beijing’s support for roads, tunnels, and power lines in Tajikistan. The incoming 2026 chair, Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, met with Xi on August 31, reviewing plans to deepen all-around cooperation. Xi stated that China will fully support Kyrgyzstan in...

Belt and Road Initiative

Kyrgyz PM Highlights Belt and Road as Strategic Priority

Kyrgyzstan regards China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a strategic pillar of bilateral cooperation aimed at modernizing infrastructure and attracting investment, Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliyev said during a panel session on BRI prospects at the 2025 Summer Davos in Tianjin on June 24. “In today’s geopolitical climate, marked by tension, uncertainty, and international fragmentation, the Belt and Road Initiative remains a vital platform for global cooperation,” Kasymaliyev stated. He emphasized that Kyrgyzstan was one of the first countries to support and actively participate in the initiative, which was launched 12 years ago and has since expanded to include numerous countries worldwide. Many of these nations, he noted, are already experiencing the tangible benefits of BRI-related cooperation. Five Pillars of Engagement Kasymaliyev outlined five strategic areas in which Kyrgyzstan is cooperating with China under the BRI framework: Transport Connectivity “Kyrgyzstan is ready to leverage its geographic location and transit potential to become a key logistics hub linking Asia and Europe,” he said. The construction of new transport corridors under the BRI is central to this vision, particularly in enhancing Eurasian connectivity. Trade and Economic Cooperation Kasymaliyev called for deeper trade and investment ties. He positioned Kyrgyzstan as a potential gateway for Chinese and other foreign investors to access markets in both the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union. Financial Sector Development Highlighting ongoing reforms, he noted that Kyrgyzstan’s financial sector, including its capital market, is undergoing active development. Digitalization and Innovation Kyrgyzstan supports the development of the Digital Silk Road and is home to a high technology park offering favorable conditions for resident companies engaged in digital and tech innovation. Energy Cooperation Kasymaliyev pointed to ongoing and planned energy initiatives, including renewable energy projects, as a key area for future collaboration. “Kyrgyzstan remains committed to the principles of the Belt and Road Initiative, which is gaining even greater relevance in today’s complex global environment,” he concluded. High-Level Bilateral Dialogue Also on June 24, Kasymaliyev held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The Chinese premier reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to aligning its development strategy with Kyrgyzstan’s and urged continued progress on interconnection projects, most notably the long-discussed China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.