In a significant move to enhance regional cooperation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and foreign ministers from five Central Asian countries convened in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province. The 5th China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers' Meeting marked a pivotal step towards deepening mutual trust and expanding all-round cooperation among the participating nations.
The summit laid the groundwork for the upcoming 2nd China-Central Asia Summit, scheduled to take place in Kazakhstan next year. This forward-looking event aims to build on the achievements of the current meeting, fostering stronger diplomatic and economic ties across the region.
During the discussions, the six foreign ministers reached five key consensus points:
- Strengthening the China-Central Asia Mechanism: The leaders agreed to follow the guidance of their heads of state to make the China-Central Asia mechanism more robust and effective.
- Advancing Modernization and Cooperation: Commitment was made to deepen cooperation in areas such as the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, poverty alleviation, desertification control, higher education, and people-to-people exchanges. China pledged to support these initiatives by expanding collaboration in these critical sectors.
- Promoting Regional Peace and Security: The countries affirmed their dedication to regional peace, supporting the China-proposed Global Security Initiative. They also expressed opposition to external interference in Central Asian internal affairs and offered assistance to Afghanistan for peaceful reconstruction.
- Fostering Cultural and Educational Exchanges: Emphasizing mutual learning among civilizations, China announced plans to provide 1,500 training opportunities and increase scholarships by 600 for the next three years. These efforts aim to cultivate talent essential for the development of the Central Asian nations.
- Upholding Multilateralism and International Justice: The ministers committed to strengthening coordination in international and regional affairs, promoting solidarity in the global South, and opposing any form of economic decoupling or breaking of supply chains.
Additionally, the six nations expressed full support for China’s rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), with a collective goal to elevate the SCO to new heights of development and influence.
This enhanced cooperation framework is set to drive economic growth, technological innovation, and sustainable development across Central Asia, fostering a more interconnected and prosperous region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
