China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway secures funding for major project

A major financing agreement has been signed for the construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, a flagship cross-border infrastructure project expected to reshape transport connectivity across Central Asia.

The signing ceremony was attended by Bakyt Torobaev, Deputy Chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, highlighting the political importance of the project for Bishkek.

The agreement was concluded between the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway Company, the joint project entity established by the three countries, and a syndicate of banks from the People’s Republic of China, including the China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China.

Together, they will provide the financial foundation for a railway long viewed as a strategic alternative trade route linking western China with Central Asia and markets further west.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $4.7 billion. Around $2.3 billion will be provided by China in the form of a 35-year loan to the joint project company, which will be fully responsible for servicing and repaying the debt.

The remaining $2.3 billion will be contributed as equity capital by the three participating states, with China holding a 51% stake, while Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan will each own 24.5%. This ownership structure formalises China’s role as the majority shareholder while placing operational responsibility on the joint venture.

Beyond its financial scale, the railway stands out for its technical and engineering complexity. The project envisages the construction of 50 bridges and 29 tunnels with a combined length of 120 kilometres, meaning that around 40% of the route will run through tunnels or across bridges.

On Kyrgyz territory alone, the railway will extend for 304 kilometres, crossing mountainous terrain that has historically constrained the development of large-scale transport infrastructure.

Construction officially began in December 2024, following a joint announcement by the presidents of China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. At the launch, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasised the strategic significance of the project, presenting it as a long-term investment in regional connectivity, trade and economic integration.

Once completed, the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway is expected to become a key transport artery in Central Asia, offering a new overland route linking China with Central Asian markets and beyond.

For Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, the project is seen as an opportunity to strengthen their position within regional logistics networks, while for Beijing it forms part of broader efforts to expand cross-border infrastructure links across Eurasia.

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