Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Projects in Central Asia
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects in Central Asia has significantly boosted economic cooperation between China and the region. Central Asia’s geographic location makes it a key hub in the BRI, connecting China to Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia.
Central Asia Strategic Importance
- Central Asia is a land bridge between China, Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia. Thus making it an important trade route for the BRI that connects Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. It is central to the Belt and Road Initiative, facilitating trade between China and the West.
- The region is a critical transit hub for energy resources, especially crude oil and gas, moving from the Caspian Basin & Central Asia toward global markets.
- Central Asia’s location makes it a focal point in the geopolitics of global powers, especially China, Russia, and the United States. The region serves as a buffer zone between Russia and China, with both countries competing for influence through various political, military, and economic initiatives.
- Central Asia is rich in oil, natural gas, uranium, gold, and other resources essential to China’s industrial needs and energy security. Countries like Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are major energy suppliers to China.
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Projects in Central Asia: China’s Strategic Goals
- Strengthening connectivity and infrastructure: China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor such as the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway and Western Europe-Western China Highway.
- Securing crude oil and gas supplies: the Central Asia-China Gas Pipeline and the Kazakhstan-China Oil Pipeline.
- Promoting regional economic integration: Establishing special economic zones (SEZs) and industrial parks, such as the Khorgos Gateway and Angren Free Economic Zone.
- Boost China’s Geopolitical Influence in a region historically dominated by Russia and eyed by the United States and Europe.
- Securing alternative trade routes: Central Asia provide alternatives to maritime routes like the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca, which are vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and controlled by Western powers.
- Strengthen China’s presence and influence in a region traditionally dominated by Russia.
Major BRI Projects in Central Asia
By October 2023, reports indicated that China had funded at least 112 projects in Central Asia since the BRI’s launch in 2013. Many of these projects aimed to enhance transportation and connectivity
Railways
- China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway (Planned)
- Purpose: To connect China’s western regions with Central Asia, creating a direct route to Europe and the Middle East.
- Route: From Kashgar, China, through Torugart Pass, Kyrgyzstan, to Andijan, Uzbekistan.
- Bypasses dependence on longer railways through Kazakhstan and boost trade links between China and the Middle East via Uzbekistan.
- Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe Railway (Operational)
- Purpose: A transcontinental freight railway linking China to Europe via Kazakhstan and Russia.
- Route: Begins in Chongqing, China, passes through Xinjiang, and continues via Kazakhstan to Germany.
- Reduces shipping time to Europe from over 40 days by sea to about 15-20 days by rail.
- Trans-Caspian International Transport Route: China to Europe via Kazakhstan: This rail route connects China to Europe through Kazakhstan, crossing the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan and moving through Georgia and Türkiye into Europe.
- Also known as the Middle Corridor, it is a railway route connecting Asia and Europe.
- The route is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
- China-Tajikistan-Afghanistan Corridor (Planned)
- Purpose: To connect China with Tajikistan and Afghanistan, facilitating trade and regional stability.
- Route: Planned to link Kashgar, China, with Dushanbe, Tajikistan, and extend to Afghanistan.
- Provides landlocked Tajikistan and Afghanistan with greater connectivity.
- China-Kazakhstan Railway (Planned)
- Purpose: To connect China with Kazakhstan, facilitating trade
- Route: From Alashankou in China to Khorgos in Kazakhstan.
- Part of the BRI’s overland trade route, linking China with Central Asia and Europe.
- China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran Railway Corridor (Planned)
- Purpose: Boost trade flow from China to Central Asia and Iran, improving connectivity with European and Middle Eastern markets.
- Route: Connecting China to Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran, forming part of the BRI’s overland route to Europe and the Middle East.
Energy Pipelines
- Central Asia–China Gas Pipeline
- Route: Originates in Turkmenistan, passes through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and ends in China’s Xinjiang region.
- Combined capacity: 55 billion cubic meters (BCM) per year.
- Length: 1,833 kilometres.
- Turkmenistan: The primary supplier of gas to the pipeline. Provides it and other Central Asian nations with an alternative to Russian export routes, diversifying their energy export markets
- Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan: Benefit from transit fees and infrastructure investments along the pipeline’s route.
- China: Gains a stable and long-term supply of natural gas.
- Kazakhstan–China Oil Pipeline
- Route: From Atyrau region, Kazakhstan to Alashankou, Xinjiang region, China
- Capacity: 20 million tons per year
- Length: 2,228 kilometres
- Provides Kazakhstan with a stable market for its crude oil exports.
- Generates transit revenue and encourages infrastructure development along the route.
Road Networks
Western Europe-Western China Highway
- Length: 8,445 kilometres (5,248 miles)
- Route: Russia. Kazakhstan, and China (Xinjiang region).Ending Point: Lianyungang, China, a major port city on the eastern coast.
- Cargo transportation from China to Europe reduced from 45-60 days (sea) to 10-15 days by road.
- Primary Purpose: To create a direct, efficient, and cost-effective trade route between Europe and Asia.
- Challenges: High maintenance costs, Geopolitical tensions affecting collaboration.
Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
- Khorgos Gateway (Kazakhstan): A dry port and logistics hub on the China-Kazakhstan border, enhancing cross-border trade.
- Aktau Seaport Free Zone (Kazakhstan): A strategic trade hub at Aktau that links Central Asia with the Caspian region.
- Navoi Free Industrial Economic Zone (Navoi, Uzbekistan): Designed to attract investment in logistics, manufacturing, and high-tech industries.
- Almaty Industrial Zone (Kazakhstan): A major hub for manufacturing and industrial production in southern Kazakhstan
BRI Projects in Central Asia: Economic Impact
- Infrastructure Upgrades: Construction and modernization of railways, highways, and logistics hubs under the BRI have improved connectivity in Central Asia.
- Energy Pipelines: Projects like the Central Asia–China Gas Pipeline and the Kazakhstan–China Oil Pipeline have increased energy exports from the region to China, providing a vital revenue stream to the economies of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
- Increased Trade Volume: The improved infrastructure has boosted higher trade volumes between Central Asia, China, and Europe.
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):China has emerged as a major investor in Central Asia, funding large-scale projects like industrial parks, special economic zones (SEZs), and energy infrastructure.
