The China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan railway is a currently-under-construction project which should enhance the role of rail in Central Asia in connecting China and Europe. The initiative seems to be attracting quite a lot of interest, as Tajikistan is now discussing the possibility of joining the project.
So far, it is nothing more than a conversation, which took place last week between the ministries of transport of China and Tajikistan. China is already significantly investing in Tajikistan to boost exports. Trade between the two countries has been on the rise, and not only when it comes to Chinese exports to Tajikistan, as many might think.
Data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity showed a whopping 122% year-on-year rise in Tajik exports to China in May 2025, reaching 42,2 million dollars. In the same month, Chinese exports to Tajikistan also kept increasing by a further 10.5% compared to the same period last year, for a value of over 311 million euros. In other words, Chinese exports to Tajikistan remain much higher, but the growth rate of Tajik exports to China is outstanding.
Not only the CKU
“The meeting discussed the issue of the People’s Republic of China’s assistance to the further development of the multimodal corridor China – Tajikistan – Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan – Iran – Turkey – Europe and the accession of the Republic of Tajikistan to the project for the construction of the railway China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan”, the Tajik ministry pointed out.
Rail in Tajikistan
Tajikistan can currently count on a limited railway network, mostly used for freight services. With less than 700 kilometres of line, most of which are single-track and not electrified, there is also the gauge problem. Tajikistan, as many former Soviet countries, built their railways with the broad gauge (1,520 mm), following the Russian model. On the other hand, both China and Europe use the standard gauge (1,435 mm). Connecting Tajikistan to the CKU, which will be built in standard gauge, might open up many possibilities for the central Asian country. Other than facilitating and enhancing trade with China, Tajikistan could become a key part of the connection with Europe via Central Asia.
