The Second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana marks a significant continuation and deepening of cooperation established at the inaugural summit in Xi’an in May 2023. The consensus to “uphold the ‘China-Central Asia spirit,’ persist in permanent good-neighborliness and friendship, and collaboratively advance the construction of a China-Central Asia community with a shared future” highlights a commitment to a long-term, comprehensive partnership.
1. “China-Central Asia Spirit” and Political Trust:
Deepened Mutual Trust: The “China-Central Asia Spirit” is characterized by “mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit, and mutual assistance for the joint pursuit of modernization through high-quality development.” This has translated into closer political dialogue and coordination on regional and international issues.
Legal Foundation: A major step forward is the signing of a treaty on “eternal good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation” at the Astana summit. This legally enshrines the principle of everlasting friendship and provides a solid foundation for future relations.
Institutionalization: The establishment of the China-Central Asia mechanism and the regular Foreign Ministers’ Meeting mechanism in 2020, along with the creation of the China-Central Asia Secretariat in early 2024, demonstrates a strong move towards institutionalizing cooperation.
Support for Core Interests: Both sides have committed to firmly supporting each other in safeguarding independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national dignity, and in choosing development paths suitable to their respective national conditions.
2. Economic Cooperation and Trade:
Rapid Trade Growth: Since the Xi’an Summit, two-way trade has seen significant growth. In 2024, trade reached a record high of nearly $95 billion, up by $5.4 billion from the previous year, and is expected to exceed $100 billion in 2025. China remains Central Asia’s top trading partner and a major source of investment.
Diversified Trade: While Central Asia exports agricultural products like honey, fruits, wheat, and poultry to China, Chinese new energy vehicles (NEVs) and photovoltaic products are increasingly entering Central Asian markets. This includes Chinese-brand NEVs accelerating their entry, with 51,000 units exported to Central Asia through Khorgos Port in 2023 (a 608.5% increase).
Industrial Investment: There’s been important progress in industrial investment, with examples like China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group jointly acquiring a stake in Kazakhstan’s Allur Group, leading to a significant increase in automobile production and sales. BYD has also established an NEV factory in Uzbekistan.
Energy Cooperation: The China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline continues to be a major overland route for China’s natural gas imports, and cooperation in renewable energy (solar and wind power) is emerging.
Agricultural Cooperation: Chinese crop varieties, technologies, machinery, and agricultural supplies are flowing into Central Asia, while Central Asian agricultural products are diversifying Chinese markets.
3. Connectivity and Infrastructure (Belt and Road Initiative – BRI):
Central Role of BRI: The Belt and Road Initiative continues to play a central role in advancing cooperation, with Central Asia serving as a crucial gateway to Europe.
Railway Development:
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) Railway: This is a flagship project with groundbreaking for mainline construction advancing. Once completed, it will provide Kyrgyzstan with its first direct route to the sea and serve as an important corridor connecting Asia-Pacific with Europe.
China-Europe Freight Trains: These services are expanding, with 4,725 trips made in the first four months of 2025, up 21% year-on-year, significantly enhancing transportation efficiency and quality.
Beijing-Central Asia Freight Train Service: A new service launched in March 2025, creating an efficient land corridor for exporting high-value, high-tech products from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
Other Infrastructure: Projects like the China-Kazakhstan crude oil pipeline, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway, and the China-Tajikistan expressway are contributing to a more robust logistics network. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route has been upgraded and expanded.
Port Infrastructure and Airway Transportation: Efforts are being made to advance the upgrading of port infrastructure and further open up airway transportation markets, developing regional logistics networks.
4. People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges:
Visa-Free Arrangements: China has made mutual visa-free arrangements with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, facilitating significant travel between the countries (e.g., over 1.2 million travels between China and Kazakhstan in 2024).
Educational and Vocational Training: Progress has been made in establishing cultural centers, opening branches of Chinese universities, and launching Luban Workshops (e.g., in Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan) to cultivate technical talents and provide opportunities for youth.
Tourism and Cultural Events: Tourism and cultural years, as well as art festivals, are popular, with examples like the first cultural tourist train trip between Xi’an and Almaty.
Archaeological and Film Collaborations: Cultural cooperation is flourishing through joint film productions, book translations, and archaeological collaborations.
5. Emerging Areas of Cooperation:
Green Economy and Sustainable Development: Cooperation is expanding into green development, including the adoption of Chinese electric vehicles and investments by Chinese EV enterprises in the region. There is also alignment in national development strategies to promote sustainability and environmental protection.
Digital Economy and AI Development: Digital transformation, e-commerce, and AI development are becoming new drivers of cooperation, with China offering opportunities in these fields.
High-tech Cooperation: Beyond traditional sectors, there’s a growing focus on high-tech collaboration.
In essence, the Second China-Central Asia Summit builds on the strong foundation laid in Xi’an, emphasizing a comprehensive and long-term partnership across political, economic, security, and cultural spheres. The focus is on implementing existing consensuses and expanding cooperation into new and emerging areas, aiming to further integrate the region and achieve mutual development under the framework of a “China-Central Asia community with a shared future.”
