China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway: official launch set for December 27

On 27 December, the highly anticipated China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project will officially commence, marking a significant milestone in regional infrastructure development.

On 27 December, official work will commence on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, as announced by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov at the III People’s Kurultai on 20 December.

“When we started, many doubted its feasibility, calling it a fairy tale. But today, you see this is a realisable project. This railway will serve as a strategic bridge connecting East and West,” Japarov stated, adding that the "project of the century" will create new opportunities for trade, tourism, and industry.

On 15 December, an investment agreement was signed between Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway Company. The agreement covers the design, financing, construction, and maintenance of the railway. 

Discussions on the railway, which will link China to Central Asia, have spanned 25 years. The chosen route, Kashgar-Torugart-Makmal-Jalal-Abad-Andijan, aims to reduce dependence on Russian and Kazakh transit routes. The railway will span 486 km, with 312 km in Kyrgyzstan, requiring 18 stations, 81 bridges, and 41 tunnels totalling over 120 km.

The railway will use two track gauges: a 1435 mm gauge from the Chinese border to Makmal (165.5 km) and a 1520 mm gauge to Jalal-Abad (146.2 km). 

By 2035, the railway is expected to handle 5 million tonnes of cargo annually, with over half being transit.

Under the agreement, China holds a 51% stake in the joint venture, while Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan hold 24.5% each. The project’s estimated cost is $4.7 billion, with contributions of $1.18 billion from China and $700 million each from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. China will also provide a $2.35 billion non-commercial loan.

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