As part of their comprehensive strategic partnership, Kyrgyzstan and China are developing a multi-level system of cooperation aimed at strengthening regional ties and enhancing the effectiveness of interaction both bilaterally and within multilateral formats.
In this context, experts view Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming state visit to Bishkek during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit as an important political event that will align the development of bilateral relations with broader efforts to strengthen cooperation across the Eurasian space.
While the key areas of cooperation supported by both sides are being advanced at the diplomatic level, the practical details of major infrastructure projects designed to create new drivers of economic growth are being worked out directly between the countries involved.
One of the most significant examples is the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway. The project is expected to become a key element of efficient regional logistics, providing a shorter transport corridor connecting trade routes across the SCO space.
Experts say the launch of this high-capacity transcontinental highway will change the geopolitical landscape of Central Asia and influence the development logic of many countries both within the Eurasian continent and beyond. Therefore, the topic of the project's practical implementation and accelerating its implementation will be central to the talks between Sadyr Zhaparov and Xi Jinping.
Political scientists compare the expected effect to the arrival of a full-flowing river in arid lands. The economy will flourish thanks to a transport artery that will feed stranded factories and plants, opening up opportunities for them to purchase raw materials and technology, and freely ship finished products to previously inaccessible markets.
Public and political figure, historian Zainidin Kurmanov, speaks of a transition to a new coordinate system, where new infrastructure projects serve the goals of shared development, where economies do not compete with each other but, by complementing each other, allow for the growth of the potential of a common development space.
"This, of course, has profound implications, both geopolitical and economic, as we are entering a crucial phase of implementing the 'One Belt, One Road' strategy. This strategy is intended not only for China, Europe, and Asia, but also for other continents. This is a very important global project. Therefore, Xi Jinping's visit and the SCO summit, with 20 heads of state coming to Bishkek, share a common goal: improving and strengthening relations with the region surrounding China, including Russia, India, Central Asia, Europe, and so on.
Kyrgyzstan is the focus of China's current policy as a strategic partner, and the implementation of this project is given serious importance. And for our country, as President Sadyr Zhaparov said, the railway will become a second Kumtor, perhaps even more significant in scale, impact, and economic potential.
Kyrgyzstan is breaking its geopolitical deadlock and gaining access to the seas and oceans, becoming an extremely important point that is integrated into the global concept of new development. We are becoming a focal point for the interests of major partners, a hub for the development of a new world. It's a mistake to think that the road through Kyrgyzstan is just part of a median corridor to the Caspian; it will have a direct connection with the transport infrastructure of Russia and other countries. First and foremost, this is an SCO project, and this corridor will serve the interests of the organization's partners, who will ensure its full capacity.
We've maintained high growth rates for several years now; this year, GDP is growing by more than 11%. This is an excellent trend, but it won't last forever; we can't lose momentum now. Therefore, while there is the opportunity and the willingness of friendly countries to support our development, we should certainly take advantage of this, in a positive way, of course, by advancing our national interests and economically integrating with our partners," expert Zainidin Kurmanov said.
Political scientist Sheradil Baktygulov noted that, thanks to the efforts of the heads of state, relations between Kyrgyzstan and China have reached an unprecedented level. Sadyr Zhaparov and Xi Jinping have built pragmatic and good-neighborly relations that are beneficial to both sides and serve national interests.
"In recent years, bilateral cooperation has demonstrated excellent results. Among these is a remarkable leap in economic and trade development. China has become Kyrgyzstan's largest trading partner. Bilateral trade turnover reached $27.2 billion in 2025, a 19.8% increase from the previous year. China and Kyrgyzstan aim to increase trade turnover to $45 billion over the next four years. This goal is ambitious but achievable. These figures reflect revenues to the country's budget, which will be used to pay salaries, pensions, and benefits, as well as to build schools, hospitals, internal roads, and so on. Both sides firmly support each other on issues affecting their core interests. For example, Kyrgyzstan firmly supports the "one China" principle, and China supports Kyrgyzstan's territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
The flagship China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project is moving forward rapidly. The modernization of the irrigation system, supported by China, is addressing the water supply issues of millions of Kyrgyzstanis.
It's also worth noting that cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and China has expanded beyond traditional trade and economic interactions to new areas such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy. "From large-scale highway construction to small-scale waste-to-energy projects, this cooperation is gaining momentum and ensuring the long-term sustainable development of Kyrgyzstan and the entire Central Asian region," said Sheradil Baktygulov.
Furthermore, the political scientist noted that China is sharing its technologies. China built and launched Kyrgyzstan's first large-scale solar power plant in the city of Kemin, which provides energy to 30,000 households. In Bishkek, a waste-to-energy plant generates electricity from waste. In terms of technology, it's a thermal power plant, but it burns waste rather than coal or gas.
This means that cooperation in the energy sector has broad prospects. And this applies not only to the development of renewable energy sources or investments in hydroelectric power plants. Just recently, an agreement was signed on fuel supplies to Kyrgyzstan, and agreements were reached with China on the construction of oil refineries and oil exploration and production. New technologies are changing our country's economic model. We are transitioning from a re-export model to a manufacturing one. This means that high-value-added industries are being created in Kyrgyzstan. In simple terms, the country will earn more.
Another important aspect is the agreement on joint management of border crossing points, the number of which, as we see, is increasing. This means the introduction of a "single window," where border and customs services from Kyrgyzstan and China, located in the same building, will simultaneously monitor the crossing of goods. This will speed up the process of goods clearance and have a positive impact on trade volumes. Ultimately, our citizens will receive the goods they need more quickly, businesses will receive additional dividends, and the state will generate additional revenue by reducing "black" and "gray" imports.
Political scientists say Kyrgyzstan is becoming a key logistics hub in the heart of the Eurasian continent. This is the result of diplomatic engagement with friendly countries, the development of fundamentally new relations within the SCO, and the strengthening of ties with close partners. Therefore, Xi Jinping's state visit to Bishkek and the results of his talks with Sadyr Japarov will become important benchmarks for the coming years, not only for bilateral relations but also for our partners in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
