Astana, June 17 – When the second China-Central Asia Summit wrapped up in Astana, 12 cooperation agreements were signed, spanning seven areas: Belt and Road collaboration, personnel exchanges, green mining, trade, connectivity, industry, and customs. For many Kazakhstanis, it's a moment that revives the Silk Road spirit with a 21st-century twist.
"This summit marks a new phase of cooperation along the Silk Road," says Zhalyn, a local resident, capturing the optimism on city streets. From bustling bazaars to co-working hubs, conversations buzz with the promise of stronger cross-border ties.
Engineer Erzat sees concrete outcomes: "I believe this kind of cooperation among Central Asian countries can lay a solid foundation for industries like metallurgy, chemical engineering, and logistics, while driving overall progress across multiple fields."
With green mining and streamlined customs on the agenda, experts predict these pacts could accelerate sustainable development and faster trade flows. The personnel exchanges, meanwhile, aim to bridge talent gaps and spark innovation networks across capitals.
As teams gear up to transform agreements into action plans, Kazakhstanis are watching closely. The real test will come when deals turn into construction sites, workshops, and new routes—echoes of the Silk Road reinvented for a globalized era.
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Kazakhstanis hail summit as new opportunity for Silk Road cooperation
cgtn.com
