As summer awakens the vibrant landscapes of Kazakhstan, with lilac blossoms aglow and the Ishim River meandering through the capital, Astana is once again at the center of regional diplomacy. From June 16 to 18, Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Kazakhstan to attend the Second China–Central Asia Summit — an event of both symbolic weight and strategic substance.
This year’s summit marks more than a diplomatic gathering — it signifies the maturing of a young but increasingly impactful multilateral framework born from centuries-old ties. From the ancient Silk Road to today’s modern infrastructure corridors, the five Central Asian nations and China are deepening a relationship rooted in trust, driven by mutual benefit, and destined to shape the region’s collective future.
Ancient Friendship, Strategic Renewal
More than 2,100 years ago, Chinese envoy Zhang Qian opened the first pathway to Central Asia, laying the groundwork for millennia of exchange. In 2013, standing in Kazakhstan, President Xi unveiled the Silk Road Economic Belt, the founding vision of what would become the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), reviving the spirit of the ancient Silk Road for a new era. Since then, cooperation between China and Central Asia has grown from historical affinity into a full-spectrum partnership.
Over the past decade, this partnership has reached “three completions”: the full establishment of comprehensive strategic partnerships between China and all five Central Asian countries, full coverage of BRI cooperation documents, and full alignment with the concept of a shared future for humanity. These milestones demonstrate not just diplomatic intent but a shared strategic outlook that has withstood global uncertainties.
As Xi noted, the decision to deepen China–Central Asia cooperation is not a product of convenience, but a generational choice made by leaders with long-term vision, responding to the will of their peoples and the imperatives of regional stability.
Tangible Results: A Shared Path to Modernization
Since the launch of the China–Central Asia mechanism in 2020, progress has accelerated. The elevation of this platform to the leaders’ level in 2023 during the Xi’an Summit underscored its growing relevance. From the Xi’an Declaration to the establishment of a permanent secretariat, institutional foundations are now firmly in place.
More importantly, the mechanism is delivering real results. Trade between China and the five Central Asian states reached a record $94.8 billion in 2024, a $5.4 billion increase from the previous year. New cooperation structures in transport, agriculture, customs, and emergency management are enabling efficient multilateral coordination.
A flagship example is the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, now under active construction, marking a milestone in physical connectivity. This long-anticipated project, personally championed by the three heads of state, will reshape regional logistics and unlock new trade routes across Eurasia.
Beyond rail, a web of cooperation is forming: the high-functioning Khorgos Gateway and the newly launched Kazakhstan Xi’an Terminal, increased Caspian Sea corridor traffic, and regularized freight trains between China and Central Asia. These are not mere infrastructure projects — they are lifelines of mutual development. Kazakhstan, in particular, is actively reinforcing its role as a traditional regional hub, leveraging its strategic location to become a pivotal connector between East and West.
People-to-People Connectivity: Cultural and Educational Bridges
In parallel with trade and transport, China and Central Asia are expanding cultural ties. On May 31, a China–Central Asia international tourism train, its carriages decorated with Xi’an landmarks, arrived in Almaty, launching a new chapter of people-to-people exchange.
Visa-free travel agreements, mutual tourism years, and growing educational ties are bringing communities closer. Business travel, in particular, is growing rapidly as China and Kazakhstan deepen cooperation in areas like new energy, the digital economy, and logistics. Notably, the latest data shows China has become Kazakhstan’s second-largest source of tourists. In 2024, over 650,000 Chinese visitors traveled to Kazakhstan — a 78% year-on-year increase, and nearly nine times the pre-pandemic level.
Luban Workshops — Chinese vocational education centers — are helping train local talent in fields ranging from automotive mechanics to engineering and energy management. At the same time, joint archaeology projects in Khiva and Almaty, and the co-preservation of epic literature like Manas, reflect a mutual respect for cultural heritage.
Astana Summit: Steadying the Region in an Uncertain World
The Second China–Central Asia Summit arrives at a moment when the international system is under strain, and regions are seeking anchors of stability. Amid rising geopolitical tensions, economic shocks, and cultural divides, the China–Central Asia relationship offers something rare: consistency, mutual benefit, and a future-oriented outlook.
From Xi’an to Astana, the road is not just physical — it is a roadmap of shared development, mutual respect, and collective aspiration. As China and Central Asia enter this new phase, the Astana summit will serve not only as a diplomatic milestone but as a signal to the world: that in the heart of Eurasia, a region is rising — not in opposition to others, but in cooperation with itself.
The flowers of partnership have blossomed. Now is the time to nurture the roots and harvest the promise.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the publication, its affiliates, or any other organizations mentioned, including CGTN.
