Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – Today, a ceremony was held to sign the Agreement on the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, an important strategic project for all three countries, in Beijing.

On this occasion, Chinese President Xi Jinping, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated via video link on the signing of the document.

Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that this railway is a key element of cooperation between China and Central Asia, as well as a symbol of the joint construction of the Belt and Road. The signing of the agreement lays a solid legal foundation for this project and demonstrates the countries’ determination to deepen cooperation and promote development.

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov noted that the railway will become a new transport route connecting Asia and Europe and will help strengthen trade and economic ties. He expressed hope for the speedy completion of the project and its commissioning.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the historical significance of this ceremony and said that the railway will play a key role in strengthening ties between the countries of the region. He also noted that the project will help expand trade and cooperation.

According to the President of Uzbekistan, citing expert data, the annual volume of cargo transportation can reach up to 15 million tons, and the delivery time of goods to end consumers will be reduced by 7 days. In addition, a modern transit and logistics infrastructure, warehouses and terminals will be created.

Mirziyoyev noted that the economic effect of the project will be felt by all our countries. New enterprises and tens of thousands of jobs will appear, the volume of mutual trade and the scale of industrial cooperation, investment attractiveness will increase, and as the main result, the standard of living of our citizens will increase.

“In the future, this road will allow our countries to access the capacious markets of the countries of South Asia and the Middle East through the promising Trans-Afghan corridor, and will significantly strengthen transit potential and interregional interconnectedness,” said the head of Uzbekistan.

The railway will start in Kashgar and pass through Kyrgyzstan, reaching Uzbekistan. It may be expanded to other regions of Asia in the future. This project promises to significantly improve connections between countries and stimulate their socio-economic development.