China to launch railway bypassing Russia

This was reported by the newspaper, organ of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China "Renmin Zhibao", reports liga.net.

According to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the railway is a strategic project to connect China with Central Asia, as well as a landmark project of cooperation between the three countries within the framework of the "One Belt, One Road" initiative.

The 525km-long, $8bn railway is of strategic importance to China as it will significantly reduce the time for freight transport of goods from China to Europe and the Persian Gulf.

The memorandum on the railway was signed back in 1997. However, it has not been realised for a long time. Russia, which considers Central Asia its fiefdom, was not enthusiastic about the project. However, with the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Russia has become increasingly dependent on China, so it had to agree.