China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway to Transform Central Asia's Connectivity
Former Kyrgyz PM says the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway will unlock Central Asia, transforming it from landlocked to land-connected.
A landmark railway project connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan is set to redefine Central Asia's role in global trade, according to former Kyrgyz Prime Minister Djoomart Otorbaev. Speaking ahead of the 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, he described the initiative as the flagship of bilateral cooperation and a modern revival of the ancient Silk Road.
Otorbaev noted that the railway, traversing Kyrgyzstan's mountainous terrain, will create a vital corridor stretching from China through Central Asia to the Caspian Sea, Türkiye, the Black Sea, and onward to Europe. "It will unlock our region of Central Asia and we will be transferring our region from landlocked to land connected," he said.
His remarks come as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Bishkek for a state visit and the SCO Summit, marking his first trip to the country in seven years. In a signed article released ahead of the visit, Xi called for advancing the railway project and strengthening regional connectivity.
Reflecting on nearly 35 years of diplomatic ties, Otorbaev highlighted steady progress in trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. He also welcomed future cooperation in digitalization, green economy, and artificial intelligence, aligning with priorities outlined by Xi. "We want to cooperate with China on high-quality modernization over the 21st century," he added.
The SCO Summit, themed "25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development, and Prosperity," marks the organization's 25th anniversary and brings together leaders from over 20 countries in the Kyrgyz capital.