|
Aparna A Nair
22 June 2025 |
The following note was earlier published in The World This Week #316 Vol 7, No 25, 22 June 2025
Second China-Central Asia Summit:
China’s continuing search for regional partners, and the emphasis on the BRI
Aparna A Nair
What happened?
On 16 June, President Xi Jinping arrived in Astana, Kazakhstan to attend the second China-Central Asia summit. The summit was also attended by the Presidents of the five Central Asian countries- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
On 17 June, China inked the Treaty on Eternal Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation with the five Central Asian countries. It underlined the principles of sovereign equality and the inviolability of borders. The countries also expressed commitment to tackle threats like cross-border terrorism, drug trafficking, transnational organised crime, and cybercrime.
According to China’s foreign ministry statement, in bilateral meetings with the regional leaders, President Xi called for expanded cooperation in natural gas, minerals, international railway and law enforcement. He pledged USD 208.86 million in grant assistance to the Central Asian countries to support their livelihood and development projects. He called for more cooperation in areas including trade, minerals and agriculture. He discussed the progress on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway with the presidents of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, and the summit led to the launch of three new cooperation centres focused on poverty reduction, education exchange, and desertification control. President Xi stated that China is ready to share development experiences in areas like latest technological advances, digital infrastructure connectivity, artificial intelligence, and foster new quality productive forces "with the Central Asian countries.
On 18 June, China’s foreign ministry expressed China’s willingness to improve road and railway connectivity and agreed to enhance direct flights.
Bilateral talks on the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) were held between the countries during the summit. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that the six heads of state together designated 2025 and 2026 as the Years of High-Quality Development of China-Central Asia Cooperation. The third China-Central Asia Summit in 2027 will be hosted by China.
What is the background?
First, a brief note on the China-Central Asia Summits. Beijing hosted the inaugural China-Central Asia summit in Shaanxi province in May 2023. The leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan had attended the summit. President Xi emphasized on the importance of four principles- mutual assistance, common development, universal security and everlasting friendship at the summit.
Second, significance of Central Asia in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) calculations. Central Asia forms the core overland route in the BRI. The main investments include China-Kazakhstan-Europe freight routes, highways, pipelines, ports, and energy projects. The China-Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan railway flagship project of USD eight billion is expected to provide China with more access to Central Asia.
Third, China’s trade relations with the Central Asian countries. As per China’s General Administration of Customs, trade between China and Central Asia countries reached USD 94.8 billion in 2024. It marked an increase of USD 5.4 billion year on year. Central Asian countries provide energy resources, minerals, and agricultural products to China. China exports machinery, electronics, vehicles and consumer goods to the Central Asian countries. Kazakhstan imported goods from China worth USD 15 billion while its exports to China totalled USD 18 billion. Tajikistan imported USD 510 million in goods and exported goods worth USD 1.3 billion. Kyrgyzstan brought in USD 5.4 billion worth of imports from China but exported only USD 123.6 million. Uzbekistan imported goods valued at USD 4.9 billion and exported goods worth USD 1 billion. Turkmenistan imported USD 1 billion in goods while exporting USD 9.6 billion. Among these five countries, Turkmenistan recorded the highest trade surplus with China.
What does it mean?
First, China’s growing diplomatic influence and soft power in Central Asia.. China shares more than 7000 kilometres of border with Central Asia. The stability in Central Asia is crucial for China’s border safety. Apart from that, Central Asia is important for China’s access to energy, minerals and trade routes. Central Asia has uranium exports, hydrocarbon fuels, and oil reserves, which can cater to China’s domestic energy demand. This forum boosts the regional influence and soft power of China.
Second, for Central Asia the summit opens doors for enhancing their infrastructure, funding, tech and training with assistance from China. Moreover, forums like this provide a voice for unified diplomacy in the area.
About the Author
Aparna A Nair is student at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai.
