On December 27, 2024, the commencement ceremony of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway project was held in Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the commencement ceremony, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov attended the event in person, and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent a congratulatory letter.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway is a strategic decision made by the governments of the three countries with a focus on regional connectivity, prosperity and stability. It reflects the noble aspiration of the people from the three countries to open up this strategic passage. Today's commencement ceremony marks the transition of the project from concept to implementation, taking a key step toward the goal of completion and operation.

Xi Jinping stressed the hope that the relevant departments and enterprises of the three countries will work closely to advance the construction of this project with high standards and high quality, striving to make the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway a new demonstration project for the Belt and Road cooperation. This will better support the economic and social development of the regions along the route and improve the well-being of the people, injecting new impetus into the building of a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

Sadyr Zhaparov said the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway is not only a transportation corridor but also a strategic passage connecting the East and the West. The project will strengthen Kyrgyzstan's position as a transportation hub, create a large number of job opportunities, and promote development in sectors such as economy and trade, tourism, and industry. He expressed the belief that the three countries will complete the railway construction with high quality, opening up new and broad prospects for shared development in the region.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that the official commencement of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway project is an important measure to implement the common understandings of the three heads of state, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, and advance the Belt and Road cooperation. It carries significant historical importance. The railway will help promote regional trade and integration, facilitate personnel exchanges and cultural connections, and build an important bridge for mutual learning among civilizations, benefiting the countries and peoples in the region.

The commencement ceremony of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway project was jointly organized by the National Development and Reform Commission of China, the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Kyrgyzstan, and the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan.