In a landmark summit held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, China and five Central Asian countries have signed a historic treaty to enhance regional cooperation and friendship. The Treaty of Permanent Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation marks a new era of collaboration between China and Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Speaking at the summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the treaty as “a milestone for today and a foundation for tomorrow.” He emphasized that the agreement enshrines the principle of everlasting friendship among the nations, advancing their shared pursuit of modernization through high-quality development.
A Spirit of Mutual Respect and Benefit
President Xi highlighted the “China-Central Asia Spirit,” which embodies mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit, and mutual assistance. This spirit guides the countries as they work together to achieve common goals and strengthen regional ties.
The summit, the second of its kind, represents the first time the China-Central Asia Summit was hosted in a Central Asian country. It builds on the progress made since the inaugural summit in Xi’an, China, where leaders agreed to hold top-level meetings every two years, alternating between China and Central Asian nations.
Strengthening the Belt and Road Initiative
At the Astana summit, President Xi called for enhanced cooperation to promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). First announced in Kazakhstan in 2013, the BRI has facilitated robust cooperation in trade, the digital economy, and connectivity across the region.
China has become Central Asia’s top trading partner and a major source of investment. In 2022, trade between China and Central Asian countries reached a record $94.8 billion, with cumulative Chinese investment in the region exceeding $30 billion.
“We should focus our cooperation on smooth trade, industrial investment, connectivity, green mining, agricultural modernization, and personnel exchanges,” President Xi said. He announced the establishment of three new cooperation centers focusing on poverty reduction, education exchange, and desertification prevention and control, along with a platform to promote smooth trade.
A Partnership for the Future
The summit participants expressed their commitment to deepening ties and building a community with a shared future. Sun Weidong, secretary-general of the Secretariat of the China-Central Asia mechanism, noted the “high-level strategic mutual trust” among the nations.
A recent poll found that over 90% of respondents believe the China-Central Asia cooperation framework supports stability, development, and future-focused collaboration. Experts like Cui Zheng of Liaoning University see the partnership as a new model of diplomatic engagement that respects independence and promotes mutual benefit, amplifying the voice of the Global South.
As the China-Central Asia partnership continues to grow, the nations are poised to work together to achieve shared prosperity and address common challenges, strengthening their bonds for years to come.
