Uzbekistan and China have launched a block train service connecting the Uzbek capital Tashkent with the Chinese port city of Fuzhou, marking a milestone in strengthening bilateral trade and transport ties.
The inauguration ceremony was held following a high-level meeting between Mamanbiy Omarov, First Deputy Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan, and Zhao Long, Governor of China’s Fujian Province. The officials explored opportunities to deepen cooperation in transportation, transit, and logistics, with both sides expressing strong interest in leveraging industrial and infrastructural strengths.
Governor Zhao emphasized Fujian Province’s commitment to expanding collaboration with Uzbekistan in trade, investment, and innovation. He highlighted Fujian’s industrial capabilities in new energy, petrochemicals, electronics, and the digital economy as key areas for potential partnership.
Deputy Minister Omarov noted that bilateral freight volumes have surged, reaching a record high of 6.0mn tons in 2024. He also pointed to ongoing joint infrastructure projects with Chinese partners, including the development of highways, railways, airports, and logistics hubs, as well as the introduction of electric buses for public transport.
A key highlight of the meeting was the formal launch of the Tashkent-Fuzhou block train, which officials say will play a pivotal role in enhancing connectivity under China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative. The route links Central Asia with China’s southeastern seacoast, integrating both overland and maritime Silk Road corridors.
“The ceremony of sending off the first block train on the Tashkent-Fuzhou route is a vivid example of our joint efforts to strengthen transport ties between Uzbekistan and the People’s Republic of China,” said Omarov. “The train, consisting of 50 containers with products from Uzbek manufacturers, is a symbol of Uzbekistan’s growing export potential and marks the practical start of a new logistics corridor.”
The newly established route is expected to facilitate two-way trade, support regional economic integration, and improve access to global markets for Central Asian producers.
