A comparative analysis of Russia and China’s Central Asian transportation initiatives: a case study of the INSTC and CKU railway

Abstract After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Central Asia once became a contested geopolitical space among the United States, Europe, and Russia. As a landlocked region, rail-based transportation infrastructure constitutes the core of regional connectivity. Following the outbreak of a series of geopolitical conflicts in 2022, Central Asian states greatly enhanced their cooperation with Russia and China in transportation infrastructure. This article compares the transportation initiatives of Russia and China through illustrative case studies to analyze their respective roles in improving regional connectivity. In comparison to Russia, China’s initiatives are more closely aligned with the development strategies of its Central Asian partners and benefit from its stronger financial capability. In the long run, transportation initiatives by China, Russia, and other powers are not mutually exclusive. Collectively, they serve to improve Central Asia’s connectivity and enhance the efficiency of the Eurasian transport network.