Bishkek, Jan. 20, 2025. / Kabar /. The importance of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway in strengthening regional cooperation discussed in Tashkent.
During the ceremony of presenting Chinese research literature provided by the Chinese Embassy to the library of the International Institute of Central Asia (IICA), topical issues of further development and strengthening of interregional cooperation were discussed.
In his welcoming speech, IICA Director Javlon Vakhabov emphasized that the study of regional cooperation issues is currently the focus of analytical centers in Central Asian countries and the People's Republic of China.
"The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is becoming not only an important infrastructure element, but also a basis for research into global processes. It will change transport flows in the Eurasian space, helping to strengthen economic ties between East Asia, Central Asia and Europe," he noted.
According to Ambassador of China to the Republic of Uzbekistan Yu Jun, against the backdrop of an unstable international situation and the escalation of geopolitical conflicts, 2024 was a historically significant year for the development of relations between China and the Central Asian countries. "A memorable event this year was the official start of the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, which will give a new impetus to bilateral relations and regional cooperation," the ambassador said.
The participants of the event made a number of proposals for studying the CKU project. Ozod Tanbaev, a leading researcher at IICA, identified several key areas for analysis: the railway has the potential to reduce transit costs and stimulate international trade, and also requires studying the balance of interests of major powers, has an impact on mountain ecosystems and needs an environmental assessment. Another important aspect was the involvement of local communities in the process of construction and operation of the road, which will improve living standards and create new jobs. "The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway occupies a central place in the study of regional cooperation due to its significance as an infrastructure, economic and political project. It is also a platform for analyzing global processes and changing transport flows in the Eurasian space," he concluded.
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov launched the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway on December 27, 2024.