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China and Russia look to use the Irtysh River for inland shipping
The proposed 4,248 km route would link western China to Kazakhstan, then Russia and the Arctic while potentially reducing exposure to US sanctions and naval chokepoint pressure.
As conflicts raise concerns about the vulnerability of global shipping lanes, China and Russia are reportedly considering whether the Irtysh River could be developed into an inland cargo route to connect more directly to world markets, according to SCMP Economy.
The plan centers on the 4,248 km (2,640-mile) Irtysh River, which originates in China’s western Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, runs through Kazakhstan, flows into Russia’s Ob River, and continues to the Arctic Ocean.
The outlet reports the route could help avoid traditional maritime chokepoints such as the Malacca and Bering straits, by potentially reducing exposure to Western naval blockades, foreign coastguard surveillance, and US sanctions, based on observers mentioned in the article.