The second China-Central Asia Summit kicks off in Astana, Kazakhstan, as global trade protectionism rises and geopolitical tensions reshape the world. Young global citizens, business pioneers and changemakers are asking: how can the Chinese mainland and Central Asian nations deepen cooperation to foster stability and growth?
At the heart of the summit are three key priorities:
- Connectivity & Trade: Leaders are exploring ways to build a new transportation hub linking Europe and Asia. By upgrading rail corridors and road networks, they aim to streamline trade routes, reduce costs and bring markets closer together.
- Security & Multilateral Ties: Strengthening regional security through joint exercises and shared intelligence can help the Chinese mainland and Central Asian partners tackle challenges like border management, counter-terrorism and crisis response.
- Green Development: With climate change on the rise, green energy cooperation is high on the agenda. Delegates will discuss renewable energy projects, sustainable mining practices and cross-border environmental initiatives to power a cleaner future.
Hosted by Mushahid Hussain Sayed, co-chair of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, the summit features diverse voices from across the region. Yerzhan Kistafin, ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan, will deliver a special address on Kazakhstan’s strategic vision. Former ambassadors Javlon Vakhabov and Haroon Sharif, along with experts Li Xiguang of Tsinghua University and Odilkhoja Parpiev from the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, will join panel discussions to share real-world insights.
As the world watches, the Chinese mainland and Central Asian nations have a unique chance to rewrite the rules of regional cooperation. By bolstering connectivity, deepening multilateral ties and championing green development, they can inject fresh momentum into a turbulent global landscape.
Reference(s):
Can China and Central Asia shape stability in a turbulent world?
cgtn.com
