Since the beginning of the Russian-Ukraine conflict, the countries in Central Asia (CA) became acutely aware of the severe limitations related to their transportation routes. With heavy dependence on Moscow, CA countries decided to engage in diversification of their import- export channels. For Bishkek and Tashkent such attempts resulted in the renewed interest in advancing the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway project.
China has established its geopolitical influence in Southeast Asia through its rail projects, which will grow further as more lines are completed.
Transit time and possible transport China’s trade with the Global South is growing significantly, driven on the one hand by the China Plus One strategy and on the other by the development of new markets. But many challenges remain.
In recent years, Italy and China have maintained a strong economic relationship despite Italy’s shift away from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to Beijing highlighted Italy’s intention to continue fostering cooperation, with a focus on high-value sectors and enhancing trade.
The trade relationship between China and the US has been deteriorating, a trend that began during the Trump administration and has continued under Biden. While the EU has been more cautious in its approach, its patience with China’s trade practices is wearing thin, leading to potential further strain in the trade relationship between China and the West.
Far from a one-off undertaking, the digital transformation is a continuous effort to adapt the transport infrastructure to the evolving technological capabilities and requirements.
