The chapter analyses the role of railway in the context of geopolitical advance in Central Asia. It shows the significance of railway development in the region starting from the 19 century, when the construction of railways played a significant role in cementing the control over the region from Russia.
The Post-Soviet period brought about a new round of railway development, the process that was stimulated by the Chinese economic policy within the region. In this case, the railway is less about cementing the hard power in the region, although it serves as "soft power" advance and creates the image of power for Chinese "Belt and Road" project.