China refused to launch a railway through Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan without Russia's consent, Japarov said.

The People's Republic of China has refused to begin construction of a railway connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan without prior approval from Russia. Sadyr Japarov announced this in an interview with journalist Ali Toktakunov, the transcript of which was published by Tazabek.

According to the Kyrgyz president, the need for this railway line had been discussed in the country since the collapse of the Soviet Union, but the project remained unimplemented for decades.

Japarov said that after coming to power in 2020, he initiated a meeting with then-Chinese Ambassador Du Dewen, proposing to move on to the practical phase of the project.

"I want to launch the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project. Let's get started. "Invite specialists, we'll prepare a feasibility study, and develop a project. We'll discuss who will invest how much and under what conditions. If you finance it, then under what conditions and at what interest rate? We'll also hold talks with Uzbekistan," Japarov quotes himself as saying.

The President claims that the Chinese ambassador then told him that Kyrgyzstan was unable to independently decide whether to launch the project.

"If Russia is opposed, if Russia doesn't give its consent, we won't be able to begin construction of this road," Japarov reported the diplomat as saying.

According to him, the Chinese side explained its position by saying that Kyrgyzstan is located in the Eurasian space and is a member of the CSTO. Furthermore, to implement the project, China needs to build about 100 km of new railway line to Torugart.

After this, Japarov said, he asked to arrange a working meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During their conversation, which lasted approximately 35-40 minutes, they discussed the railway project specifically.

"Ultimately, I managed to convince her. China's position is also understandable. They are great powers. If we're talking about the world's largest powers, then that's China, Russia, and America. They can't ignore each other's positions. Therefore, after the Chinese side raised this question with me, I went to see Vladimir Vladimirovich," he explained.

Japarov emphasized that Kyrgyzstan is "living in a transport impasse."

"That's precisely why we're experiencing such difficulties. If this road opens, we'll be able to breathe more freely. We need it like air and water," Japarov explained, describing his arguments at the meeting.

According to the Kyrgyz President, he ultimately succeeded in obtaining the Russian side's consent, after which he resumed negotiations on the project, declaring, "Okay, let's get started."

Japarov called the railway a project of historic proportions, emphasizing that its significance extends far beyond simply providing transportation links between the three countries.

"This railway shouldn't be called simply the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. It's the Great Silk Road. You could call it a renewed Great Silk Road," he said.

The President noted that the highway is primarily needed by Kyrgyzstan itself.

"This road is needed primarily not by China, not by Uzbekistan, not by Europe, or by America. Kyrgyzstan needs it," Japarov emphasized.

He expressed confidence that the construction of the railway could significantly transform the country's economy in the coming years.

"The railway is a project of historic proportions. It will change us. It will change our thinking, it will change our lives," the president declared.

According to Japarov, the railway will become one of Kyrgyzstan's major new sources of revenue after its natural resources are depleted.

"We will have transit. Freight transit through Kyrgyzstan alone could generate at least $400-500 million in net revenue for the budget," he said.

The president compared the future railway to the Kumtor gold mine, calling it one of Kyrgyzstan's "new Kumtors." He also sees tourism as another long-term source of income for the country.

Japarov also expects the development of the railway network to reduce the cost of domestic transportation. He said that some freight between Bishkek, Osh, and Jalal-Abad could be transported by rail instead of by road.

"Doing business will become easier, trade will become cheaper, and transportation costs will decrease," he stated.

Speaking about Kyrgyzstan's long-standing lag in the development of its railway infrastructure, Japarov cited Uzbekistan as an example.

He stated that since the 1990s, Uzbekistan has built approximately 1,200 kilometers of railways, while Kyrgyzstan's network, conversely, has shrunk by approximately 45 kilometers.

"Sleepers were dismantled, rails were removed. Private companies built oil depots and other facilities in place of the railway infrastructure," he stated.

Now, according to the president, Kyrgyzstan has begun restoring its railway network and has already built approximately 65 kilometers of new line.

Japarov also stated that the authorities intend to extend the domestic line to Makmal by the time the international railway is launched, with the goal of subsequently connecting it to the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan route. Given sufficient investment, this is planned for approximately 2031-2032.

During a state visit to Kyrgyzstan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway "the project of the century," which will change the region's geopolitical position.

The project's cost is preliminarily estimated at $4.7 billion.

Approximately $2.3 billion of this amount will be provided by China as a 35-year loan to a joint project company established by China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The loan will be repaid directly by the project company. The remaining $2.3 billion is planned to be contributed to the authorized capital of the joint project company. The shares are distributed as follows: China - 51%, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan - 24.5% each.