Kyrgyzstan, China discuss new highway and border crossing to boost trade

Kyrgyzstan and China are advancing plans for a significant infrastructure project: the Barskoon, Bedel, Uchturfan, Aksu highway and the development of the Bedel border crossing. This initiative aims to enhance transportation links and provide Kyrgyzstan with a crucial new road outlet to China through the Issyk-Kul region.

The discussions took place during a working visit by Kyrgyzstan's Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Erlist Akunbekov, to China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. He met with Chen Xiaojiang, Secretary of the Xinjiang Committee of the Communist Party of China. Both sides acknowledged the progress in bilateral cooperation and the implementation of major infrastructure projects, including the highway and the border crossing.

The new highway, spanning 161.4 kilometers, will traverse high-altitude areas of the Tian Shan mountains, reaching the Bedel pass on the Chinese border. Construction presents considerable challenges, with work occurring at elevations between 1,700 and nearly 4,000 meters. Builders face difficulties such as deep gorges, unstable slopes, permafrost, and rapidly changing geology. The project includes the construction of two tunnels totaling 9.1 kilometers and over 50 bridges.

This project is being undertaken with the support of Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov and China's President Xi Jinping. Other major joint projects, such as the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, were also discussed. Additionally, the development of direct air routes connecting Bishkek and Osh with Urumqi and Kashgar was noted.