Historic China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway Project Signed in Beijing
A new chapter in Eurasian connectivity began on June 6 as leaders from China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan signed an agreement for a landmark railway project in Beijing. The 1,000+ km route will start in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, traverse Kyrgyzstan, and connect to Uzbekistan's network – with future extensions planned to link West Asia and South Asia.
Why This Matters for Kyrgyzstan
In an exclusive interview with CMG, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov called the railway a 'transformative force' for his landlocked nation:
🔥 Turbocharging trade through new border crossings opening in 2024
💼 Creating jobs in logistics and tourism sectors
🌐 Positioning Kyrgyzstan as a key hub in the Belt and Road Initiative's 'Middle Corridor'
Cultural Ties & Shared Futures
Japarov, who surprised reporters by reciting verses from Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai 🇨🇳📜, praised China's development model as 'highly suitable' for Central Asia. He highlighted President Xi Jinping's leadership in advancing people-to-people exchanges and regional stability. 'The center of gravity of global decision-making is shifting,' the PM noted, emphasizing growing South-South cooperation.
