China and Uzbekistan are launching two new rail services into the Central Asian country. They add to a growing list of China – Central Asia rail freight routes. Even though both have similar origins and destinations, they take vastly different routes.
The first new rail freight service concerns a train carrying 50 containers. It left the Chinese coastal city of Tianjin and will make its way to Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan. The train carries car parts, mechanical equipment, building materials and consumer electronics. The latter come from South Korea, from where they were first taken to China by ship. Overall, the train will take two weeks to arrive in Tashkent.
At the same time, Uzbek Railways’ container subsidiary, O’ztemiryo’lkonteyner, has organised a new multimodal service between the two countries. It agreed with the Chinese company Vostosun Group to organise container transportation. First, the containers will leave China by ship to Iran. Once in the Iranian Bandar-Abbas port, they will continue via rail into Turkmenistan, before arriving in Uzbekistan.
Six more China – Central Asia rail freight services launched in 2025
China’s rail freight links with Central Asia are expanding significantly in 2025. Below is a chronological list of new services launched this year to key logistics hubs in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Afghanistan, based on regional and Chinese reporting. Click to collapse the entries.
1. Xi’an – Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
- Launch date: 3 January 2025
- Route: Via Kazakhstan (Khorgos – Altynkol border crossing)
- Freight: 50 containers of electronics, textiles, chemicals
- Transit time: 5–6 days (reduced from 8–10)
- Notes: First 2025 train from Xi’an dry port under accelerated freight project
2. Chongqing – Hairatan (Afghanistan)
- Launch date: 10 February 2025
- Route: Via Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
- Freight: 55 FEUs of ZTE communication equipment
- Transit time: 12–15 days
- Notes: First direct rail link to Afghanistan from Chongqing; expected to cut costs by up to 20%
3. Beijing – Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
- Launch date: First train on 19 March; weekly service from 10 April
- Route: Via Khorgos – Altynkol, Kazakhstan
- Freight: Auto parts, medicines, bicycle parts (90 containers, 1,100 tonnes, valued at 28 million yuan)
- Transit time: 10–14 days
- Notes: First-ever China–Central Asia freight train from Beijing
4. Wuhan – Central Asia
- Launch date: 13 April 2025
- Freight: Steel products, air conditioners, general freight
- Notes: Launch of regular rail freight from central China to Central Asia
5. Chongqing – Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
- Launch date: 20 April 2025
- Freight: Polyester chips
- Frequency: Twice monthly
- Notes: Operated by China Railway Chengdu Group
6. Wuxi – Tashkent (via Kyrgyzstan)
- Launch date: 16 April 2025
- Route: Rail to Kashgar → road via Irkeshtam → Kyrgyzstan → Uzbekistan
- Freight: 1,158 tonnes of mechanical and plastic goods, valued at approx. 1,7 million US dollars
- Transit time: 15 days (down from 25)
- Notes: Multimodal service; 10–33% cheaper than pure rail or road
