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China

Kyrgyzstan and China to Launch Direct Flight Between Osh and Kashgar

A new air route connecting Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city, with Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is expected to launch in April, according to a statement from Airports of Kyrgyzstan JSC. The announcement follows a meeting held on January 30 with the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). The new flight is intended to enhance transport connectivity between the two neighboring countries, deepen bilateral trade and economic ties, and promote tourism and cultural exchange. The route is expected to be operated by Chengdu Airlines, a COMAC-affiliated carrier, using COMAC’s C919 aircraft, China’s first domestically developed short-to-medium-range turbofan jet, which can accommodate up to 97 passengers. Osh already has an existing air link to Xinjiang. In November 2025, China Southern Airlines resumed flights between Osh and Urumqi, the region's capital. Xinjiang serves as a strategic gateway to China for Kyrgyzstan, and Kashgar is the departure point for the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway, an ambitious regional infrastructure project aimed at connecting China with Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The 523-kilometer railway will run from Kashgar to Andijan, Uzbekistan, passing through Kyrgyzstan via Torugart, Makmal, and Jalal-Abad. Construction on the CKU railway officially began on December 27, 2024, in Kyrgyzstan’s Jalal-Abad region. New transport links by air and rail are expected to further boost trade between Kyrgyzstan and China. According to Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Liu Jiangping, bilateral trade reached a record $27.2 billion in 2025, up 20% from the previous year.

Renewable energy

Chinese Investor Plans 500 MW Solar and Wind Power Plants in Tajikistan

Chinese company Dayu New Energy Limited plans to develop solar and wind power plants in the Kubodiyon and Jaihun districts of Tajikistan’s Khatlon region. With a combined installed capacity of 500 megawatts, the project would rank among the largest renewable energy initiatives in the region. During negotiations, it was emphasized that Khatlon has been strengthening its economic ties with Chinese firms and offers favorable conditions for the construction of infrastructure and energy facilities. The region is seen as a key zone for attracting foreign direct investment. Dayu New Energy CEO David Liu noted that the company has operated in the renewable energy sector since 2018, specializing in the construction and operation of solar and wind power stations. He added that the firm is currently implementing wind energy projects in Georgia and Kazakhstan, underscoring its practical experience and technological capacity. Following the meeting, the head of the Khatlon region expressed support for the project and confirmed his willingness to facilitate its development. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Tajikistan has significantly accelerated its transition to green energy. The country has already launched its largest solar initiative to date: the construction of two photovoltaic power plants with a combined capacity of 500 MW, an unprecedented move for the republic. In a related development, the Asian Development Bank recently approved a $1 million grant to support technical assistance for floating solar photovoltaic systems in Tajikistan.

Trade

Central Asia Trade with China Tops Record $100 Billion in 2025

Trade between China and Central Asia increased to a record of more than $100 billion in 2025, despite challenges to global economic growth, the Chinese government said on Monday. Citing data from China’s General Administration of Customs, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the trade structure with the Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan had improved and that more high-end products were entering the Chinese market from the region. “As global economic growth remains sluggish and the international trading system faces serious challenges, the economic and trade cooperation between China and Central Asian countries has withstood external headwinds, and the trade volume surpassed US$100 billion,” Guo said. He attributed the increasing cooperation in part to a China-Central Asia summit in Astana, Kazakhstan last year that was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and the five Central Asian leaders. China’s Belt and Road initiatives, which include the development of trade routes that pass through Central Asia and link up with Europe, are also making progress, according to the Chinese official. Total trade between China and Central Asia was $106.3 billion in 2025, an increase of 12 percent over the previous year, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Chinese exports such as machinery, electronics and high-tech goods were $71.2 billion, an increase of 11 percent over the previous year. Imports from Central Asia amounted to $35.1 billion, a rise of 14 percent from 2024. China is involved in major projects in Central Asia, including the extraction of minerals used for “clean” technology, equipment manufacturing and the modernization of agriculture. China imports oil and natural gas as well as a growing number of other products from the region. Russia was once the main trading partner of Central Asia after the fall of the Soviet Union, but China has the lead position now. The United States is also seeking to develop more trade with resource-rich Central Asia, which is diversifying its international partnerships.

Transport and Logistics

Speed vs. Stability: How Kazakhstan Is Leading Eurasia’s Transit Race

China’s successful test of a maglev platform weighing about one ton, accelerating to 700 kilometers per hour in just two seconds, once again underscored Beijing’s technological ambitions in the transport sector. With more than 50,000 kilometers of high-speed rail connecting cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu, China is paving the way for the next generation of mobility. Yet beyond China's borders, speed alone is no longer the decisive factor. In Eurasia and particularly in Central Asia, stability, predictability, and reliability have become the primary metrics for transit success. Within this context, Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a central hub in Eurasia’s evolving logistics landscape. China’s High-Speed Model vs. Eurasia’s Freight Realities Inside China, Fuxing high-speed trains and maglev routes have transformed domestic connectivity, forming the backbone of national economic integration. However, exporting this model faces inherent limitations. High-speed passenger lines require dedicated tracks, strict safety protocols, and massive investment factors incompatible with most of Eurasia’s existing freight-centric rail infrastructure. As a result, the China-Central Asia-Europe corridor is focused on accelerated freight movement. The goal is not maximum speed, but consistent delivery times, reliable scheduling, and minimal disruption, elements vital to modern supply chains. Kazakhstan’s Strategic Role in Eurasian Land Transit Kazakhstan serves as a critical artery for China's westward land transit. Key corridors to the Eurasian Economic Union, Europe, and Central Asia, including the Middle Corridor, traverse Kazakh territory. In the first ten months of 2025, Kazakhstan's State Revenue Committee reported that more than 11 million tons of goods were transited from China through Kazakhstan, marking double-digit growth year-on-year. This success stems not only from increased volume but from qualitative improvements in transit management. Digitalization has been pivotal. An automated system for filing and issuing transit declarations has slashed processing times from several hours to just 30 minutes per container train, facilitating the clearance of millions of tons of cargo. For businesses, this translates into lower costs and more reliable delivery schedules -- an essential factor amid ongoing global economic uncertainty. These institutional upgrades are reinforced by infrastructure investment. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport, cargo transportation volumes have reached record levels, with steady growth in transit flows. Projects like the Dostyk-Moyinty line and the Almaty bypass are specifically designed to expand transit capacity. Why High-Speed Passenger Rail Isn’t on the Agenda Given China’s high-speed rail successes, some may question why similar routes are not planned between China and Kazakhstan. However, in the near term, such initiatives remain economically and logistically unfeasible. Existing rail lines in the region prioritize freight and mixed-use traffic, falling short of the standards required for high-speed passenger transport. Building separate lines would demand significant capital and a stable passenger base, conditions that currently do not exist. Freight transit, aligned with the Belt and Road Initiative, remains the primary focus. Unlocking the Caspian Bottleneck Despite the growth in rail transit, the Caspian Sea route remains a capacity bottleneck. Plans to build a new seaport in the Karakiyansky district of Mangistau region, through a...

Archaeology

Chinese Uzbek Archaeologists Uncover Ancient City Walls at Kuva Silk Road Site

A team of Chinese and Uzbek archaeologists has uncovered a well-preserved section of city walls at the ancient settlement of Kuva in eastern Uzbekistan, dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 10th century CE, according to a report published by Xinhua. The discovery was made by the joint Luoyang-Ferghana archaeological expedition. Researchers say the find offers critical physical evidence for understanding the historical development of a Silk Road city and the enduring cultural exchange between East and West. The team also hailed the excavation as a key achievement of international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. Located in the Ferghana Valley, a historic hub along the ancient Silk Road, the ruins of Kuva cover an area of approximately 110,000 square meters. Xinhua noted that the valley has maintained close ties with China for over 2,000 years. Preliminary findings indicate that the city’s fortifications were rebuilt multiple times and remained in use across several historical eras from the Parthian Kingdom and the states of Dayuan and Sogdiana to the Samanid dynasty. Liu Bin, head of the Chinese delegation to the joint expedition, said the evolving construction techniques used in the walls provide valuable insights into the architectural practices, building materials, and cultural influences of different periods. He added that such features help trace the diffusion of cultural traditions along major trade routes. The Luoyang-Ferghana team was established in 2023 as a collaboration between the Luoyang Archaeological Institute in China’s Henan Province and Ferghana State University in Uzbekistan. Since then, archaeologists have identified palaces, city gates, fortifications, residential structures, streets, and craft workshops at the site. Liu Bin noted that systematic excavations of the palace areas are planned for next year, which will further clarify the city’s layout and functional zones. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, similar Chinese-Uzbek archaeological partnerships are underway in Surkhandarya, Samarkand, Ferghana, and Khorezm. These projects have led to discoveries of ancient settlements, urban infrastructure, and even an Iron Age city-state, underscoring the growing scope of bilateral archaeological cooperation in Uzbekistan.

Tajik-Afghan Border

Rising Border Insecurity Puts Chinese Interests at Risk in Tajikistan

Mounting insecurity along the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border is increasingly threatening Chinese interests and heightening Beijing’s concerns about regional stability, Al Jazeera has reported, citing recent incidents and official statements from Dushanbe. According to the report, the Tajik authorities have recorded multiple armed infiltrations from Afghan territory in recent months, resulting in more than a dozen deaths. Among the victims were five Chinese nationals working on infrastructure and mining projects in remote areas of Tajikistan. The attacks reportedly targeted Chinese companies and personnel specifically, prompting alarm in Beijing. Al Jazeera noted that China is Tajikistan’s largest creditor and one of its most significant economic partners. Chinese firms have a major presence in road construction, infrastructure, and extractive industries, many of which are situated near the porous Afghan border. The growing threat of violence has raised serious concerns among Chinese officials about the safety of their citizens and investments. Tensions escalated dramatically on November 26, when a drone strike hit a Chinese-operated gold-mining facility, and gunfire targeted workers at a state-owned enterprise. Several Chinese nationals were reportedly killed in the coordinated attacks. In response, the Chinese embassy in Dushanbe advised Chinese citizens and enterprises to withdraw from border areas and called on Tajik authorities to take “all necessary measures” to protect Chinese nationals and assets. Citing regional analysts, Al Jazeera reported that although no group has claimed responsibility, the tactics are consistent with those used by Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). Analysts believe ISKP is attempting to undermine the Taliban’s claims of providing security by deliberately targeting foreign nationals, particularly Chinese workers. Tajik officials described the incidents as evidence of the Taliban’s “irresponsibility” and repeated failure to deliver on its international commitments. Dushanbe has demanded an official apology and concrete guarantees regarding border security. Most of the recent attacks, according to Tajik authorities, have originated from Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province, a complex and fragile security zone. The Taliban’s crackdown on poppy cultivation, which has provoked resentment among local farmers, is believed to have further destabilized the area. The Taliban have expressed regret over the incidents, blamed unspecified non-state actors, and insisted that Afghanistan poses no threat to neighboring countries. They reaffirmed their commitment to the Doha Agreement and regional stability. In December, Tajikistan’s State Committee for National Security (SCNS) reported another armed incident on the southern frontier. According to the SCNS, three armed individuals crossed into Tajik territory late on December 23 and attempted to attack a border post in the Shamsiddin Shohin district. The intruders, who refused to surrender, were killed in a firefight. Two Tajik border guards also died in the clash, underscoring the persistent volatility along the border.