nCa Short Report
The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway is a pivotal infrastructure project designed to boost trade and economic ties across Central Asia, connecting China directly with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
Initially proposed in the 1990s, it has gained significant traction as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aiming to create alternative trade corridors. The project addresses long-standing connectivity gaps in the region, where Kyrgyzstan’s rail network is limited to about 424 km of disconnected lines, and promotes diversified transport options for landlocked countries.
The route covers approximately 523 km of new track, starting in Kashgar, China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, crossing into Kyrgyzstan via the Torugart Pass, traversing Kyrgyz territories including Makmal and Jalal-Abad, and ending in Andijan, Uzbekistan.
Of this, 213 km lies in China, 260 km in Kyrgyzstan (including challenging mountainous sections with around 90 tunnels), and 50 km in Uzbekistan, where it integrates with existing networks for potential extensions westward. The line will initially be single-track and non-electrified, with plans for future upgrades.
Financing for the CKU totals $4.7 billion, with China approving a $2.3 billion concessional loan on a 35-year term, while the remaining $2.3 billion comes from the joint venture’s authorized capital (51% from China, and the rest shared by Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan).
The agreement was signed in Bishkek on December 16, 2025, by the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway Company and a consortium of Chinese banks, including the Export-Import Bank of China, marking financial closure ahead of the December 20 deadline.
Construction officially launched with a ceremony in Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan, in December 2024, though preparatory work began earlier, including tunnel construction in Kyrgyzstan started in May 2025. The project is expected to take four to six years, with completion targeted for 2029, though mountainous terrain and engineering challenges could extend this timeline.
Key Benefits of the CKU Railway
The CKU railway promises substantial economic and social gains by establishing a shorter east-west corridor, projected to handle 10-12 million tons of cargo annually, including minerals, agricultural goods, and manufactured items.
It could shorten transit times to Europe by 7-8 days and reduce costs by up to 30%, boosting trade volumes between China and Central Asia by 20-30% over the next decade.
During construction, it is anticipated to create up to 10,000 direct jobs in engineering, labor, and logistics, particularly in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, with ongoing employment in operations and maintenance post-completion. For Kyrgyzstan, the project could add 1-2% to annual GDP growth through transit fees, increased foreign investment, and local manufacturing development, while alleviating debt burdens and enhancing labor market revenues.
Uzbekistan benefits from improved export access for cotton, metals, and energy resources, potentially increasing its trade surplus by $1-2 billion yearly and fostering industrial zones that attract $5-10 billion in investments.
China gains diversified routes, reduced dependence on Russian transit, and stabilized western borders, while the region sees broader impacts like boosted tourism revenue and integration into global supply chains for sustainable growth.
Strategic Role of Kashgar and Links to Pakistan’s Ports
The CKU’s eastern terminus in Kashgar positions it as a key hub on the historic Silk Road, facilitating westward expansion from inland China.
From Kashgar, established road and planned rail links extend southward to Pakistan’s ports of Karachi and Gwadar via the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The primary road connection is the 1,300 km Karakoram Highway (KKH), an all-weather route from Kashgar through the Khunjerab Pass to northern Pakistan, linking to national highways that reach Karachi and Gwadar. Rail developments under CPEC include a proposed high-speed line from Kashgar to Gwadar or Karachi, part of a 3,000-3,218 km network of highways, railways, and pipelines, though full rail construction is ongoing. These could support up to 20 million tons of freight yearly once complete.
The CKU railway offers Central Asia a prime opportunity to access open seas through a safe and reliable southern route via Pakistan, minimizing risks of disruptions from geopolitical tensions or sanctions in northern pathways.
This connectivity provides landlocked nations like Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan with faster, cheaper maritime outlets for exports, enhancing energy security, attracting investments, and positioning the region as a vital transit hub for global trade. ///nCa, 23 December 2025