BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 19. While Uzbekistan’s engagement in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR or Middle Corridor) would benefit the original intent of the 'Belt and Road Initiative', it is unclear whether Beijing believes that it must commit substantial resources to the construction of the Middle Corridor’s logistics and transportation infrastructure, Felix Chang, a Senior Fellow at the US Foreign Policy Research Institute’s Asia Program, told Trend.
“So far, the 'Belt and Road Initiative' has not played a major role in the development of Middle Corridor. Indeed, most of China’s investment in the Middle Corridor’s infrastructure has been centered around the Khorgos Gateway and the Khorgos-Eastern Gates special economic zone, both of which are located near the China-Kazakhstan border,” he said.
Chang noted that at the moment, many of China’s financial institutions, a good number of which have already made foreign loans under the Belt and Road Initiative’s banner, have become stretched because of not only problems with their investments abroad, but also China’s domestic economic slowdown.
“Thus, their lending has become more cautious and focused on less grandiose projects, particularly those whose paths to profitability are clearer than in the past. Still, that does not mean those financial institutions, particularly those that are state-owned, would not make more loans, if Beijing, eyeing some political advantage, wanted them to do so. Current geopolitical situation could present an opportunity for China to expand its influence in Central Asia,” he explained.
The Middle Corridor, a transportation and trade pathway, links Asia and Europe as it traverses numerous countries within the region. It provides an alternative to the conventional Northern and Southern Corridors.
Beginning in China, it spans across Central Asian nations like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Subsequently, it extends through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye before reaching the European continent.
This strategic Middle Corridor offers a land-based connection between the eastern regions of Asia, including China, and Europe, offering a shorter path compared to lengthy maritime routes.
