Dynamics of developing transport and logistics relations in the Сentral Asian region

Abstract

Limited natural resources, internal socio-economic and political crises, and the low level of infrastructure development, especially in the first years after gaining sovereignty, have affected the trade, transport, and logistics vulnerability of Central Asian countries. Trade between the People’s Republic of China and European countries became a determining factor in developing the region’s transport routes. More than 90 % of freight is delivered by sea, but the role of land routes has increased significantly since 2020. China faces the pressing issues of developing the economies of its western provinces, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The development of land routes coincides with the implementation of the strategic objectives for the Silk Road Economic Belt, as well as the interests of the countries whose territories these transport routes run through. The countries of the Central Asian region are striving to participate in transit and have been very active at interstate meetings, discussing cargo delivery options. This issue became especially relevant after the sharp decline in China’s use of transit through the territory of the Russian Federation. Of many proposed transport routes and corridors, the most promising are the Trans-Afghan Railway and the “Middle Corridor”. The successful construction of the transport and logistics will largely depend on developing relationships with Afghanistan’s political leadership and the PRC’s attention to infrastructure projects.