Uzbekistan, October 2026 – China and Uzbekistan have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing railway infrastructure cooperation during Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s official visit to the Central Asian country. Discussions with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov placed the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway among the key priorities for strengthening regional connectivity and economic cooperation.
Li said China was prepared to support the high-quality implementation of the railway project and encourage more Chinese companies to invest in Uzbekistan. Mirziyoyev and Aripov also expressed support for accelerating construction, reflecting both governments’ stated commitment to expanding transport infrastructure and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
The proposed railway would connect China with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, creating an additional overland transport corridor through Central Asia. Its development is expected to strengthen regional transport links and provide new opportunities for freight movement and trade between participating countries. However, the project’s wider impact will depend on implementation, cross-border coordination and the integration of railway operations across national networks.
Railway cooperation formed part of a broader bilateral agenda covering trade, customs, education, healthcare, e-commerce, climate and digital technology. China was Uzbekistan’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching US$16.1 billion in 2025, an increase of 17.9% from the previous year, according to figures cited by China’s Foreign Ministry. The two governments also discussed cooperation in artificial intelligence, energy and agriculture, linking infrastructure development with broader economic priorities.
The renewed commitment highlights the strategic role of railways in connecting inland economies with international markets and diversifying regional transport routes. As the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway progresses, its significance will extend beyond physical infrastructure to include trade facilitation, logistics integration and long-term economic cooperation across Central Asia.
Source: China Daily
China and Uzbekistan Advance Strategic Central Asian Railway Project
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Cross-border railway infrastructure is becoming increasingly important to regional trade, economic integration and connectivity across Central Asia. During a high-level visit to Uzbekistan in October 2026, China reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project, signalling continued bilateral support for a major regional transport link.
