However, growth has been slow in recent years, hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has also forced operators of the railway to seek alternative routes.
“In light of these events, the volume of transshipment to Europe has dropped by about half. However, we have an alternative route – through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Georgia,” said Mr Rustembekov Almas, an operations manager at Khorgos Gateway.
LOCALS WELCOME STRONGER CHINESE TIES
Critics of the BRI have accused Beijing of pursuing a “debt-trap diplomacy” by offering unaffordable loans to developing countries through the initiative.
Mr Almas said that while he is aware of the controversies surrounding the project, it has been a win-win situation on the ground so far.
“China is developing as a manufacturer and we are developing as a transit country. The end customers – Russia, Europe and Central Asia – also benefit from that. It’s all mutual. I cannot say that one party benefits more or takes advantage of another. Every party has a mutual interest in this,” he said.
Source: CNA
