China's new railway route to Europe bypasses Russia
The construction of a railway line from China to Kyrgyzstan and onward to Uzbekistan was ceremoniously initiated. This will serve as an alternative route to the new Silk Road path that traverses Russia, as well as Belarus and Poland. With this investment, Beijing will have more options for delivering goods to Europe.
Beijing is preparing for multiple scenarios linked to the conflict in Ukraine. One scenario involves the direct engagement of U.S. forces and the potential breakup of the Russian Federation, reports the Polish newspaper "Rzeczpospolita." Consequently, the Americans would shift their focus to China.
The investment in the new railway through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan will furnish additional routes for dispatching goods to Europe while circumventing Russian territory. Such routes, we might add, are already at China's disposal. This encourages the so-called Old Continent to maintain neutrality in any potential escalation between Beijing and Washington through economic ties.
In late 2024, the daily reported a ceremonial commencement of work on the railway line from China to Kyrgyzstan and onward to Uzbekistan, named CKU. Construction in Kyrgyzstan is expected to last six years.
A few billion dollars for the construction of the Silk Road line
"The routing of CKU has been under discussion since 1990, but it wasn't until after Russia's invasion of Ukraine that the interested countries signed an agreement in Beijing on June 6, 2024, and committed to the challenging investment in southern Kyrgyzstan's high mountains," writes "Rzeczpospolita."
The newspaper reported that the new route will bypass Russia and shorten the journey from China to Europe by about 900 kilometres. Consequently, the travel time will be reduced by approximately 8 days.
"The Chinese government provided $2.35 billion in low-interest loans, which will cover half of the estimated construction costs amounting to $4.7 billion." notes "Rz".
