China intends to construct a railroad challenging the frozen terrain, extending to Kyrgyzstan.
The Torugart Pass, known for its challenging terrain, severe climate, and high seismic activity, has seen China and Kyrgyzstan initiate construction on a 523-kilometer-long railway line. This project is expected to traverse the permafrost zone and is anticipated to be completed within six years, potentially attracting Germany's interest as well.
This economic collaboration between Kyrgyzstan and China is materializing through the construction of a new railway line. The president of Kyrgyzstan, Sadir Japarov, officially launched this project connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. This railway line will serve as a crucial conduit to Chinese coastal ports for Central Asian nations and provide a logistical pathway to Europe. The project is projected to cost around 7.7 billion euros according to Kyrgyz authorities.
During the inauguration ceremony, torches in the national colors of the three countries were lit in the snow-blanketed mountains of Jalal-Abad, southern Kyrgyzstan. Japarov expressed gratitude towards "our partners - China and Uzbekistan - for their assistance in executing this project."
He envisioned the line facilitating the transfer of goods from China to Kyrgyzstan, further extending to Central Asia, neighboring countries like Turkey, and even reaching the European Union. Japarov, during the ceremony, donned a traditional felt hat and symbolically initiated the project.
Recently, Japarov invited Germany to partake in the railway line's construction. Japarov pointed out that inadequate interregional transportation links pose a major hindrance to exporting more goods to Europe. In a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in September, he discussed this issue.
"Intricate and Precise"
This strategically vital and overall 523-kilometer-long railway line will connect the Chinese city of Kashgar in Xinjiang's northwestern region to the Torugart border crossing in the same mountain pass. After a detour to Makmal's northern gold mine, the line will span to Jalal-Abad in southern Kyrgyzstan, interconnecting with the existing railway line to Andijan in Uzbekistan.
The Chinese segment of the line will span roughly 155 kilometers. The Kyrgyz segment, measuring 305 kilometers, and Uzbek segment, at 63 kilometers, will collectively stretch out far beyond the Chinese segment.
The planned route will traverse mountainous terrains and permafrost zones, where the ground remains perpetually frozen. In Kyrgyzstan alone, 27 tunnels and 46 bridges are planned. As detailed in the television presentation, the construction promises to be "intricate and precise" due to its placement in a rugged mountain region with harsh climate and intense seismic activity.
Competition with Russia
After two decades of discussion, the project was officially ratified in June through the agreement signing of the heads of state of China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. According to Kyrgyzstan's railway company, the construction is anticipated to take about six years.
The ex-Soviet Republic of Kyrgyzstan maintains close relationships with both Russia and China. Traditionally, Moscow has viewed Central Asia as its sphere of influence. However, China is determined to dethrone Russia as the dominant regional power. Central Asia is of significant importance to China's infrastructure initiative, the New Silk Road.
In recent times, China has intensified its relations with Central Asia's resource-rich nations. With investments amounting to billions, China has expanded its gas production in Central Asia and constructed railway and road networks within the region.
The new railway line will pass through the snow-blanketed mountains of Jalal-Abad, southern Kyrgyzstan, during its construction. This intricate and precise project, which will span across mountainous terrains and permafrost zones, requires the cooperation of skilled engineers due to its location in a rugged mountain region with harsh climate and intense seismic activity.
Upon completion, the railway line will serve as a competitive alternative to existing transportation routes dominated by Russia, potentially shifting the balance of power in Central Asia as part of China's New Silk Road initiative.
