The second Central Asia–China summit concluded with the signing of the Treaty on Eternal Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation, marking a major step forward in building mutual trust and strategic partnership between China and the five Central Asian nations.
Expanded Cooperation and Strong Bilateral Ties
The summit set new benchmarks for advancing regional relations and outlined comprehensive approaches to cooperation: strengthening trade, revitalizing historic cultural connections, increasing sister city relationships, launching biennial thematic initiatives, and deepening international collaboration.
Since the first China–Central Asia summit in Xi’an in 2023, trade between China and Central Asian countries has surged by 35%, reaching a record high of nearly $100 billion. The number of joint ventures and projects has also exceeded 10,000, highlighting growing economic interdependence.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that relations between the region and China have reached the level of an “eternal strategic partnership,” underlining the importance of long-term cooperation and geopolitical balance.
China’s Vision: High-Quality Development Through Collaboration
Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed the establishment of a comprehensive cooperation structure, announcing a 1.5 billion yuan (approx. $208 million) grant in 2025 to support public welfare and development-oriented projects in Central Asia.
Xi described the “China–Central Asia spirit” as one of mutual respect, trust, benefit, assistance, and a shared pursuit of modernization through high-quality development.
On security matters, Xi pledged support for modernizing law enforcement across the region and offered assistance in combating terrorism, transnational crime, and cybersecurity threats. He also reiterated China’s commitment to international justice and opposition to hegemonism.
National Priorities and Strategic Interests
Kyrgyzstan
President Sadyr Zhaparov identified six key areas for deepening ties with China: transport connectivity, energy, finance and e-commerce, education and science, tourism, and security. He highlighted the strategic importance of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, currently under construction, as a core component of the Belt and Road Initiative and a unifying force for regional markets.
Tajikistan
President Emomali Rahmon emphasized expanding economic cooperation in energy, industry, agriculture, and communications. He also spotlighted glacier preservation as a pressing environmental priority, referencing Tajikistan’s leadership role in launching the Dushanbe Process and hosting an international glacier conservation conference.
Turkmenistan
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov pointed to the region’s increasing importance in global geopolitics and proposed the development of a UN-led global security strategy, focused on preventive diplomacy and peaceful resolution of conflicts. He affirmed that regional cooperation plays a key role in countering extremism, separatism, and emerging security threats.
Uzbekistan
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed the adoption of the Astana Declaration and the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness. He expressed support for initiatives such as the Central Asia–China Uninterrupted Trade Platform, joint desertification prevention centers, and educational cooperation. Mirziyoyev emphasized that the combination of Central Asia’s growing potential with China’s industrial leadership could create a dynamic space for technology transfer and knowledge exchange.
Economic and Geopolitical Implications
The Astana Summit positions Central Asia as an emerging strategic region, with China acting as a key driver of investment, integration, and sustainable development. Strengthened trade, technological partnerships, and joint infrastructure projects are transforming the region into a vital corridor linking Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Fair treatment, long-term cooperation, and shared commitments to modernization and security define this new model of China–Central Asia relations, which may serve as a blueprint for broader multilateral engagements.
