Construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway (CKU) is set to begin in October 2024. First initiated over 27 years ago, this project aims to establish a more direct route connecting China with Central Asia and Europe, enhancing trade and economic integration across these regions. This backgrounder explores the rationale behind the CKU railway and highlights the project’s expected geopolitical and economic implications for each of its stakeholders and Eurasian trade in general.