1st tunnel for China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway achieves breakthrough

BISHKEK, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- The first tunnel on the Kyrgyz section of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway has been drilled through, marking a major milestone in the development of the cross-border route, the project company said Saturday.

According to China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway Company, a joint venture established by enterprises authorized by the three governments, the 209.6-meter-long Kosh Dobo North No. 2 tunnel is the first tunnel drilled through on the Kyrgyz section. Construction began in June 2025.

Since then, construction has begun on 27 tunnels, 43 bridges and 88 roadbed sections, while construction for 20 railway stations is also underway.

The railway is a landmark project between China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Once completed, it will provide a new rail link between China and Central Asia, running from Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, through the Kyrgyz border city of Jalalabad to the eastern Uzbek city of Andijan.

The total length of the railway will exceed 500 kilometers, including 304.84 kilometers in Kyrgyzstan.