Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The second Central Asia-China summit concluded in Astana on June 17, 2025. This event became an important milestone in strengthening friendship and strategic partnership between the countries of the region. The leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and China discussed key issues of economic development, security and cultural exchange.
A joint statement was adopted, which set out the main areas of further cooperation. The leaders expressed confidence that their combined efforts would guarantee prosperity and stability in the region.
The second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana was a turning point, marked by summing up the results and setting ambitious plans for the future based on the aspiration for friendship and common prosperity. The importance of the “China-Central Asia spirit” based on mutual respect, trust, benefit and support was emphasized.
Xi Jinping noted the historical roots of cooperation between China and Central Asia, based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit. He stressed the importance of strengthening mutual trust and upholding sovereignty and national interests. China reaffirmed its intention to develop cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, focusing on trade, investment, transport, environmentally responsible mining and agriculture.
The leaders of the Central Asian countries highly appreciated China’s contribution to the development of the region and expressed their readiness to further deepen cooperation. They noted that the China-Central Asia format has become an important platform for dialogue and cooperation, promoting socio-economic development. The Astana summit reaffirmed the desire to build a strong and mutually beneficial partnership based on the principles of friendship, trust and mutual support.
Central Asia plays a key role in the Belt and Road Initiative, serving as a strategic gateway to Europe.
The Belt and Road Initiative took centre stage at the summit, with an emphasis on cooperation in energy and sustainable development.
The meeting of leaders of China and Central Asian countries marked an important step in deepening regional cooperation and building a closer community with a shared future. The summit demonstrated the commitment to joint development, prosperity, and maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Particular attention was paid to China’s constructive role in international and regional affairs. The heads of state of Central Asia expressed support for the concept of building a community of shared destiny for mankind, as well as the global initiatives proposed by Xi Jinping.
The summit participants stressed their readiness to work with China to protect free trade and the multilateral trading system, as well as to uphold the principles of international equality and justice.
The parties agreed to hold the third China-Central Asia summit in 2027 in China, which demonstrates a long-term commitment to developing partnership relations.
The China-Central Asia Summit was an important step towards strengthening regional cooperation, joint development and building a common future. The signed agreements and new initiatives create a basis for further deepening partnerships and achieving common goals.
China’s cooperation with Central Asian countries within the framework of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative is steadily increasing, trade turnover has increased by 35%, cooperation in the field of industry and investment, environmentally responsible subsoil use and scientific and technological innovations is gaining momentum. The parties are implementing a number of projects. Chinese electric vehicles and photovoltaic products are appearing in Central Asia, from where honey, fruits, wheat and poultry end up on the Chinese table.
Trade between China and Central Asian countries reached a record high of 674.15 billion yuan in 2024, an increase of 116 percent compared with 2013. All parties have found a new model of win-win cooperation through the China-Kazakhstan oil pipeline project and the China-Central Asia gas pipeline project. The China-Tajikistan Highway, China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Highway and China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway have brought regional connectivity to a new level, and practical cooperation has expanded to the digital economy and green transition. Container trains are connecting more Chinese cities with Central Asian countries. The quality and capacity of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor are improving. Green industry, digital economy, artificial intelligence, aerospace and aviation industries are becoming new growth points for cooperation. Cooperation in new areas such as cross-border e-commerce and online education brings benefits to the people of our six countries.
Xi Jinping stressed that the cooperation between China and Central Asian countries has its roots in more than two thousand years of friendly relations, has been cemented by solidarity and mutual trust since the establishment of diplomatic relations, and has made great progress through mutually beneficial cooperation in the new era. Many years of experience and practice have helped to formulate and shape the “China-Central Asia spirit” characterized by mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit, mutual assistance, and promoting joint modernization through high-quality development.
Xi Jinping noted that no matter how the international situation changes, China has been and remains committed to the policy of external openness, is ready to jointly carry out higher-quality cooperation with its Central Asian partners, deepen the integration of interests for the sake of common development, and achieve greater success in developing cooperation between China and Central Asia.
The leaders of the Central Asian countries unanimously noted the successes in China’s development under the leadership of Xi Jinping, expressed gratitude to China for its comprehensive cooperation with the Central Asian countries, which provides them with opportunities for national development. The China-Central Asia format has already established itself as a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation between the parties, as well as the socio-economic development of the Central Asian countries. In a turbulent world, the China-Central Asia format is acquiring strategic importance. China’s prosperity brings benefits to neighboring states. China is a trusting strategic partner and friend for the Central Asian countries, which attach importance to the model of cooperation with China based on the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and expect to intensify cooperation with China in all areas, including expanding the scale of trade and investment.
An important outcome of the summit was the signing of the Astana Declaration of the Second China-Central Asia Summit and the Treaty of Eternal Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation. In addition, 12 cooperation agreements were concluded within the framework of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, covering a wide range of areas, including personnel exchange, environmentally responsible subsoil use, trade, transport connectivity, industry and customs.
Author: Tolon Turganbaev