Bridging continents: The strategic importance of the CKU railway

"The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway is a strategic project for China’s connectivity with Central Asia and a landmark initiative for (our) three countries to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative," stated President Xi Jinping in a message marking the signing ceremony of an agreement for a key railway project linking China with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in Central Asia. President Xi Jinping, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev celebrated the signing of an intergovernmental agreement on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project via video link on Thursday. This railway represents a strategic initiative for China-Central Asia connectivity and a landmark in Belt and Road cooperation among the three nations.

The ambitious US$8 billion China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan rail link begins in Kashgar, Xinjiang, traverses southwest Kyrgyzstan, and concludes in Andijon, eastern Uzbekistan. This route, a faster and cheaper alternative to current China-Europe land paths through Russia, could cut the freight journey by 559 miles. Proposed in the 1990s, the project faced decades of technical, political, and geopolitical hurdles.

More than a decade has passed since China launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with the aim of creating diverse transportation routes connecting the country to Western markets. Infrastructure projects underscored Central Asia's pivotal role as a bridge between China and Europe. The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) corridor has been a focal point. This revived focus on the CKU railway reflects the enduring strategic value of Central Asia, marking a crucial milestone in the evolution of the Belt and Road Initiative and its impact on global trade dynamics.

The potential of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) corridor has substantially increased amid the Ukraine crisis and the resulting sanctions imposed by the US and the EU on Russia and Belarus. The traditional Northern Corridor via Russia, long a dominant route for east-west transit, is losing its significance. This shift elevates the prominence of the Middle Corridor crossing Central Asia and the South Caucasus. The Middle Corridor is poised to emerge as a competitive route, offering a viable alternative for transporting goods from Asia to Europe.

This development highlights the strategic importance of the CKU corridor within the broader context of global trade dynamics and geopolitical shifts, highlighting its potential to reshape transit routes between Asia and Europe. The Middle Corridor offers the shortest route between Asia and Europe, enabling cargo transportation in just 15 days. However, infrastructure issues, the lack of a deep-sea port in Georgia, and political challenges have hindered its full potential. With Russia and Belarus facing severe sanctions and isolation, the Middle Corridor has emerged as a vital alternative for the EU, China, and other East Asian countries. Once the Kyrgyz section of the railway is completed, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway will become one of the shortest routes between China and Western Europe, positioning Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan as key transit countries for Chinese exports. This development promises transit fees and new employment opportunities for Kyrgyzstan, potentially aiding its debt-ridden economy.

Currently, Uzbekistan's rail connection with China via Kazakhstan is about 20% more expensive than the prospective route through Kyrgyzstan, where cargo is primarily transported by trucks. The hybrid rail-road route takes from a week to ten days. A direct railroad link between Tashkent and Lanzhou would significantly reduce transit time, further enhancing the CKU corridor's importance and attractiveness. This strategic shift underscores the Middle Corridor's potential to reshape global trade routes, benefiting Central Asian economies and offering a robust alternative to traditional transit paths.

The future of the Middle Corridor hinges on completing the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway. This route could become a key alternative for trade between Europe and Asia, benefiting the EU, China, and other East Asian countries. As part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, the CKU corridor aligns with China's plan to promote diverse transit routes. The EU, in collaboration with China, should invest in developing sustainable and efficient transit along this corridor.  By revitalizing cooperation with China, Central Asian and South Caucasus countries, the EU can secure a more resilient energy supply and foster economic growth along the Middle Corridor.