China building railroads in Central Asia

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 25 Dec 2023 by Alex Teddy
On December 21 Kazakhstan announced that a rail line will stretch 272 km from Ayagoz to Bakhty on the border with China. Construction is already underway. The aim is to increase freight capacity from 28 million tonnes to 48 million tonnes. It is due to commence operation in 2027 and has twin tracks. The project will encompass 11 stations and 60 bridges or overpasses. In June 2023 the Chinese and Kyrgyz presidents agreed to start work on the China Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan (CKU) railroad ''very soon''. The CKU Railroad has not started construction. It has been mooted for 30 years. It would be 523 km long and cost USD 4.5 billion, which is inexpensive for a railroad of this length. That is because labor costs are low, and corners are cut on workers' safety. The CKU Railroad would also be mainly about freight and the hope is to link it to Europe one day. China is the major investor in Central Asia. The Ukraine War has led to a diminution of Russian sway in the region although not its disappearance. The US has shown very little interest in Central Asia since the NATO pullout from Afghanistan in 2021. EU countries have demonstrated interest but do not seem to want to invest in the region substantially.  The railroads are part of the Belt and Road Initiative. They also cement China's importance in the region. 

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