A review of railway transportation in Central Asia for corridors and the revival of the Great Silk Road
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15549/jeecar.v11i4.1700Keywords:
Central Asian region, New Silk Road strategy, railway corridorAbstract
This review examines the state of railway transportation in Central Asia within the context of the Silk Road initiative, tracing its origins from the United States' New Silk Road strategy. Despite recent setbacks, the Silk Route has become a crucial geopolitical tool for military, political, and economic interests, with corridors like Kazakhstan's Terminal and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan route identified for potential revitalization. Uzbekistan, particularly in the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan corridor, emerges as pivotal for advancing the Silk Road initiative. A comprehensive analysis of data collection methodologies employed in studying these corridors is also included to ensure the reliability and validity of the findings. Employing a multifaceted methodology, including quantitative analysis of infrastructure metrics, case studies of specific projects, a literature review synthesizing existing knowledge, and comparative analysis drawing parallels and contrasts, this study explores opportunities and challenges in enhancing these corridors, aiming to contribute to the broader strategy's rejuvenation in Central Asia. By analyzing current conditions and proposing improvements, the research seeks to optimize railway transport, aligning with the Silk Road's historical significance in the contemporary geopolitical landscape.
References
Barisitz, Stephan. 2017. 'Central Asia (C.A.) and the Silk Road (S.R.): Definitions and Traits'. In Studies in Economic History, Springer, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51213-6_1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51213-6_1
Carbajo, José, and Toshiaki Sakatsume. 2004. 'Plans, Timetables, and Delays: Progress with Railway Reform in Transition Economies'. Utilities Policy 12(4): 231–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jup.2004.08.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jup.2004.08.002
ESCAP, U. 2022. 'Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan: Transport Connectivity, the Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic and Euro-Asian Linkages.' https://www.unescap.org/kp/2022/kazakhstan-and-kyrgyzstan-transport-connectivity-impact-covid-19-pandemic-and-euro-asian
Foo, Nam, Hooi Hooi Lean, and Ruhul Salim. 2020. 'The Impact of China's One Belt One Road Initiative on International Trade in the ASEAN Region'. The North American Journal of Economics and Finance 54: 101089. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.najef.2019.101089 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.najef.2019.101089
Frankopan, P. 2017. 'The Silk Roads: A New History of the World.' In , 1–636. ISBN 1408839989, 9781408839980
Gao, Yang. 2016. 'Analysis on the Investment Environment of Turkmenistan Transportation Industry'. In Proceedings of the 2016 5th International Conference on Energy and Environmental Protection (ICEEP 2016), Paris, France: Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/iceep-16.2016.107 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2991/iceep-16.2016.107
Górski, Jędrzej. 2016. 'PRC's Co-Operation with Central and Eastern European Countries in the Context of the One Belt One Road Initiative. The Case of 2016 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the PRC and Poland.' Working Paper of the Chinese University of Hong Kong 19: 1–100. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2837546
Hoh, Anchi. 2019. 'China's Belt and Road Initiative in Central Asia and the Middle East'. Digest of Middle East Studies 28(2): 241–76. https://doi.org/10.1111/dome.12191 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/dome.12191
Horák, Slavomír. 2023. 'Turkmenistan in Eurasian Railway Geopolitics'. Central Asian Survey 42(1): 171–90. https://doi.org/10.1080/02634937.2022.2085663 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02634937.2022.2085663
Indeo, Fabio. 2018. 'The Impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on Central Asia: Building New Relations in a Reshaped Geopolitical Scenario'. In , 135–53. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75435-2_8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75435-2_8
Jiang, Xiushan, Lei Zhang, Chenfeng Xiong, and Ruijun Wang. 2016. 'Transportation and Regional Economic Development: Analysis of Spatial Spillovers in China Provincial Regions'. Networks and Spatial Economics 16(3): 769–90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11067-015-9298-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11067-015-9298-2
Karimova, Z. K. 2022. 'NoHow Trade via Rail in Central Asia Can Mitigate the Energy and Climate Crises.' Retrieved from Asian Development Blog: https://blogs.adb.org/blog/how-trade-rail-central-asia-can-mitigate-energy-and-climate-crises#:~:text=As%20it%20uses%20less%20energy,sustainable%20ways%20of%20doing%20business.
Kulipanova, Elena. 2012. 'International Transport in Central Asia: Understanding the Patterns of (Non-) Cooperation'. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3023153 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3023153
Lúcio Vinhas de Souza. 2011. 'An Initial Estimation of the Economic Effects of the Creation of the EurAsEC Customs Union on Its Members'. Moody's Investors Service. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227352255_An_Initial_Estimation_of_the_Economic_Effects_of_the_Creation_of_the_EurAsEC_Customs_Union_on_Its_Members
Max Ee, Khong Kie, and Eshonov Boymurod. 2009. Tajikistan: Trade Facilitation and Logistics Development Strategy Report. Asian Development Bank. ISBN 978-971-561-813-7
Otsuka, Noriko, Felix Christian Günther, Ilaria Tosoni, and Cecilia Braun. 2017. 'Developing Trans-European Railway Corridors: Lessons from the Rhine-Alpine Corridor'. Case Studies on Transport Policy 5(4): 527–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2017.06.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2017.06.005
PeaceNexus Foundation. 2021. 'Development of Transport Corridors in Central Asia and Effect of the "Belt and Road" Initiative.' In , 19. https://peacenexus.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Repot_DSC_PN_2019_eng.pdf
Peter Golden. 2011. 'Central Asia in World History'. In Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780195338195
Sahakyan, Mher. 2022. 'China's Belt and Road Initiative and Central Asia'. In The Belt and Road Initiative in Asia, Africa, and Europe, London: Routledge, 90–106. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003156246-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003156246-8
Shaikova, A.Ye., T.A. Dronzina, and A.N. Zholdasbekova. 2023. '"One Belt, One Road" Initiative: A Comparative Analysis of the Project Implementation in the Central Asian Countries'. BULLETIN of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.Political Science. Regional Studies. Oriental Studies. Turkology Series. 142(1): 251–63. https://doi.org/10.32523/2616-6887/2023-142-1-251-263 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32523/2616-6887/2023-142-1-251-263
Shu, X. 1997. 'The New Asia-Europe Land Bridge–Current Situation and Future Prospects.' Japan Railway and Transport Review (14): 30–33. https://www.ejrcf.or.jp/jrtr/jrtr14/f30_xu.html
Sitora Primova. 2020. Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the Transport and Transit Economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan: Measures Taken and New Opportunities. university, World Economy and Diplomacy. https://inlibrary.uz/index.php/scientific-research-covid-19/article/view/8647
Teimuraz Gorshkov, George Bagaturia. 2001. 'TRACECA–Restoration of Silk Route'. Japan Railway & Transport Review (28): 50–55. https://www.ejrcf.or.jp/jrtr/jrtr28/pdf/f50_gor.pdf
Tursunbaevich, Baykhonov Bahodirjon, Mullabayev Baxtiyarjon Bulturbayevich, and Abdul Rahmat. 2021. 'The Impact of The Pandemic on The Economy of The Republic of Uzbekistan'. Aksara: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Nonformal 7(1): 161. https://doi.org/10.37905/aksara.7.1.161-168.2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37905/aksara.7.1.161-168.2021
Wang, Qichao, and Jianwei Wang. 2022. 'China and Japan in CEEC: Competition, Cooperation and Co-Existence?' Journal of Contemporary East Asia Studies 11(1): 86–106. https://doi.org/10.1080/24761028.2022.2049028 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/24761028.2022.2049028
Winter, Tim. 2022. 'The Silk Road: Connecting Histories and Futures'. In The Silk Road: Connecting Histories and Futures, Oxford University Press, 1–266. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197605059.001.0001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197605059.003.0001
World Bank. 2011. 'Trade Expansion Through Market Connection: The Central Asian Markets of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan.' In World Bank Publications; Illustrated edition (June 24,), 96. ISBN : 978-2-37687-610-6
Yoshino, Naoyuki, and Umid Abidhadjaev. 2017. 'An Impact Evaluation of Investment in Infrastructure: The Case of a Railway Connection in Uzbekistan'. Journal of Asian Economics 49(49): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asieco.2017.02.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asieco.2017.02.001
Zimmerman, Thomas. 2015. 'CENTER ON INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION The New Silk Roads: China, the U.S., and the Future of Central Asia'. Center on International Cooperation (October). https://cic.nyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/1662/65/zimmerman_new_silk_road_final_2.pdf
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Ziyoda Mukhamedova, Dilbar Mukhamedova, Gоvhar Fuzailova, Zahro Ergasheva, Khamid Yakupbaey
![Creative Commons License](http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by/4.0/88x31.png)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The JEECAR journal allows the author(s) to hold the copyright and publishing rights of their own manuscript without restrictions.
This journal applies the Creative Attribution Common License to works we publish, and allows reuse and remixing of its content, in accordance with a CC-BY 4.0 license.
Authors are free to: Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Under the following terms: Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
No additional restrictions — The author may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
The JEECAR Journal is committed to the editorial principles of all aspects of publication ethics and publication malpractice as assigned by the Committee on Public Ethics.