China marks major tunnel milestone for Central Asia railway bypassing Russia

China has reached a major milestone in the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, successfully drilling a key 210-metre tunnel in Kyrgyzstan. This breakthrough marks the first progress in the Kyrgyz section of the railway since work began in June 2025, according to China’s state broadcaster CCTV. The 500km railway, spanning across the three countries, will create a crucial trade corridor bypassing Russia, offering China a vital route to Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Once completed, it could cut transit times by up to eight days compared to existing routes that transit Russia or Kazakhstan, and provide direct access to Chinese and Asian markets for landlocked Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The project, part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, has faced numerous challenges, including engineering difficulties, technical gauge disputes, and geopolitical sensitivities.

During President Xi Jinping's visit to Kyrgyzstan, both nations pledged to ensure the railway's smooth construction. Construction on 27 tunnels, 43 bridges, and 88 roadbed sections has begun, alongside work on 20 railway stations. While the railway is scheduled to commence operation by June 2031, Uzbekistan aims to complete the project by 2028.