Building bridges across the steppe: How China's infrastructure drive is transforming Central Asia

Editor's note: Serik Korzhumbayev, a special commentator for CGTN, is the editor-in-chief of the Kazakh newspaper Delovoy Kazakhstan and CEO of the Business Media Group, which includes the DKNEWS.KZ information agency. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

With the second China-Central Asia Summit kicking off in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Monday, connectivity stands at the center of regional transformation. Under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China's investment and cooperation in building transportation infrastructure has become a critical catalyst for economic integration, trade facilitation, and people-to-people exchange in Central Asia.

Historically landlocked and fragmented by rugged terrain, Central Asia has long struggled with transportation inefficiencies. While countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan heavily depend on railways, roads, and pipelines to export goods, much of this infrastructure dates back to the Soviet era and remains underdeveloped. Poor connectivity drives up trade costs, limits competitiveness, and hampers regional integration.

This is where the BRI makes a strategic difference. Over the past decade, China has partnered with Central Asian governments to modernize critical transportation corridors, creating a "New Silk Road" across the steppe. The most emblematic project is the long-awaited China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, whose construction agreement was signed in 2024, after years of negotiations. This line will shorten the China-Europe rail journey by 900 kilometers, drastically reducing both time and costs.

Major investments have also gone into upgrading road networks and logistics hubs. Kazakhstan, a key player in the BRI, has become a continental bridge through the development of the Khorgos Dry Port on the China-Kazakhstan border, where Chinese goods transit to Europe via rail. The Almaty-Xi'an cargo route, connecting the historical city of Xi'an in northwest China to former Kazakh capital Almaty, is now a vital artery for East-West trade. The regional air cargo industry is also expanding, with new routes connecting Hangzhou in east China to Central Asian cities, supporting both traditional exports and the booming e-commerce trade.

Beyond concrete and steel, connectivity today includes digital and green dimensions. Recognizing this, China and the five Central Asian nations are jointly investing in fiber-optic networks and cross-border data infrastructure to enable a new generation of digital commerce.

China's green development philosophy is gaining ground in the region. The 100-MW solar plant in Namangan in east Uzbekistan, built with Chinese support, is now operational. In Kazakhstan, Chinese-backed wind and hydro projects are powering thousands of homes, helping it shift toward a sustainable energy model. These initiatives align with global climate goals and also reduce long-term infrastructure costs.

Policy and institutional connectivity

Infrastructure alone is not enough; policy alignment and institutional frameworks matter equally. The launch of the China-Central Asia Secretariat in 2024 and the establishment of over 10 ministerial-level dialogue mechanisms provide essential coordination platforms.

For instance, customs harmonization, simplified border procedures, and unified logistics standards are being developed through these channels. These efforts mirror EU-style connectivity, tailored to the specific challenges of Eurasia.

Infrastructure enables more than goods movement. It powers cultural exchange and tourism. The mutual visa exemption agreements signed between China and Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have already spurred a tourism boom. The launch of the Xi'an-Almaty cultural train highlights how transportation can foster deeper mutual understanding between nations.

What innovations can China and Central Asia pursue next? Public-private partnerships, smart transportation systems, and green financing tools offer exciting new avenues. The use of artificial intelligence to manage freight logistics, blockchain for customs clearance, and satellite data to monitor infrastructure efficiency are emerging opportunities.

China's success in building intelligent infrastructure at home can be leveraged to support similar projects abroad. At the same time, Central Asian countries must be active participants in shaping these projects according to local needs, ensuring sustainable and inclusive development.

A shared journey ahead

China's infrastructure diplomacy in Central Asia is not just about building roads or railways. It is about building trust, unlocking growth, and linking futures. In an increasingly fragmented world, such models of cooperation offer hope. As the second China-Central Asia Summit unfolds, all eyes will be on Astana. There, leaders will not only take stock of progress but also chart the course for an even more interconnected, resilient, and prosperous region.

The path may be long, but the foundations are being laid today – steel by steel, track by track, idea by idea.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X, formerly Twitter, to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)