As the second China-Central Asia Summit approaches, leaders from China and its five Central Asian partners are preparing to chart a new course for cooperationâone that promises fresh momentum for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and a deeper community with a shared future.
'Central Asia is not only the birthplace of the BRI but also a frontrunner in high-quality implementation,' said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, noting that all five Central Asian countries have signed BRI cooperation agreements with China.
Trade between the regions hit a record 674.15 billion yuan (about $94 billion) in 2024, up 116 percent since 2013. Signature projects like the China-Kazakhstan Crude Oil Pipeline and the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline have set a template for mutually beneficial collaboration.
Transport links are reaching new heights. The China-Tajikistan highway, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway and railway are knitting together markets and communities, reducing travel times and opening new corridors for trade and tourism.
Looking beyond heavy infrastructure, the summit will spotlight digital economy partnerships and green transition initiativesâtwo areas where startups and young innovators can play pivotal roles in shaping sustainable growth.
People-to-people ties are also on the rise. Mutual visa-exemption agreements with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are making cross-border travel smoother for business travelers, students and digital nomads. Meanwhile, the Luban Workshops project is connecting universities, tech hubs and cultural institutions across borders.
For entrepreneurs and changemakers, the summit signals an invitation to engage in projects that blend tradition with innovation. As Guo Jiakun put it, 'Our goal is to open up new space for cooperation and build an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.'
With a blend of data-driven insights and on-the-ground projects, the 2nd China-Central Asia Summit aims to showcase how strategic partnerships can drive economic dynamism and social well-being across regions.
Reference(s):
Spokesperson: China, Central Asia to chart new course for cooperation
cgtn.com
