China to Modernize Türkiye’s Railways With $60 Billion Investment to Bypass Russia

China’s $60 billion investment to modernize Türkiye’s railway network challenges Russia’s role as a trade hub between China and Europe, reports the Tazabek on January 15. Already benefiting from the disruption of Russian air transport routes, Türkiye is reportedly emerging as a safer and faster alternative for European suppliers.

In 2023, the China-Europe Railway Express moved 1.9 million TEUs, up from 1,400 in 2011, according to Statista. China’s investment, confirmed by Burak Dağlıoğlu of Invest in Türkiye, includes electrification, new routes, a bridge in Istanbul, and a high-speed rail link to Ankara.

Jayant Menon, a senior fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, noted that this upgrade could make Türkiye a critical link in the China-Europe Railway Express system. However, he warned that without significant improvements, Türkiye remains a “weak link” in the network: “One breakdown on the route, and the entire network grinds to a halt.”

Dağlıoğlu emphasized opportunities for additional investments, with new contractors expected to join an upcoming tender. Chinese manufacturer CRRC Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive, already active in Türkiye, showcased its capabilities by launching the country’s fastest subway train in Istanbul last year.

With its upgraded railway network, Türkiye is set to become a key trade link between China and Europe, reducing reliance on Russian routes. This aligns with China’s Belt and Road Initiative , which aims to connect Asia, Africa, and Europe through modern land and sea routes.

Earlier, reports have emerged that China’s state-owned oil companies and private refiners are scrambling to secure crude oil supplies from the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas as a result of significant US sanctions on Russia.