CHINA–KYRGYZSTAN–UZBEKISTAN RAILWAY: A STRATEGIC DRIVER OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGIONAL SERVICE ECONOMY

The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway (CKU Railway) is a key component of the China-Central Asia-West Asia international transport corridor, designed to significantly reduce transport time and distance. While existing research largely focuses on its geopolitical significance and freight value, this paper aims to systematically explore the railway's development potential for the region, particularly the service sector. Employing a multi-dimensional analytical approach, combining infrastructure development, economic geography, and supply chain management theories, this paper assesses the prospects for key areas such as logistics, finance, tourism, digital services, and professional services. The study argues that the CKU Railway will fundamentally reshape regional economic geography through a "corridor economy" effect, transforming inland areas into interconnected hubs. Its core potential lies in catalyzing a modern, high-value-added service economy ecosystem, with the key to realizing this potential being transnational policy coordination, digital integration, and active private sector participation. Finally, this paper identifies major challenges in coordination mechanisms, security and stability, and initial investment, and provides directions for future research.