China, Central Asia Forge Deeper Ties at Ministerial Meeting
Chengdu, China hosted the Fifth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Sunday, a significant step towards strengthening burgeoning ties between the regions. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, alongside his counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, discussed a wide range of topics, including bolstering economic ties, expanding cultural exchange, and promoting shared security interests.
The meeting built upon the momentum generated by the first China-Central Asia Summit held in Xi’an last May. Since then, both sides have made notable progress on agreed-upon initiatives, with over half of the relevant projects already underway or making significant strides.
“Driven by the principles of good neighborliness, solidarity, and pragmatism, our six countries have successfully navigated the past four years of the China-Central Asia Mechanism,” stated Wang Yi, highlighting the strong foundation upon which future cooperation will be built.
The ministers emphasized the importance of aligning development strategies, fostering closer economic integration, and deepening people-to-people exchanges. Recognizing the potential for collaborative growth, both sides agreed to establish ministerial platforms in crucial areas such as trade, customs, agriculture, transportation, and industrial investment.
Central Asian foreign ministers commended China’s collaborative approach, expressing strong support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its commitment to promoting regional stability.
“The exemplary level of mutual trust and extensive cooperation between China and Central Asia stands as a model for neighboring countries,” remarked one Central Asian foreign minister, underscoring the burgeoning relationship.
Looking Ahead: Building a Shared Future
The Chengdu meeting served as a crucial stepping stone towards the second China-Central Asia Summit, scheduled to take place in Kazakhstan next year. Recognizing the importance of high-level guidance, Wang Yi stressed the need for continued support from regional leaders.
“We will commence drafting a comprehensive joint declaration for the summit, building on areas such as high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, a permanent good-neighborliness and cooperation treaty, and agreements across various other sectors,”
Wang Yi outlined, emphasizing a commitment to solidify a roadmap for ongoing collaboration.
Looking to optimize development efforts, the six countries agreed to prioritize six key areas, namely trade facilitation, industrial investment, connectivity, green mining, agricultural modernization, and streamlined people-to- commune exchanges.
The ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the region, agreeing to joint initiatives to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Recognizing the interconnected nature of global challenges, they pledged to seek coordinated solutions while upholding multilateralism and promoting an inclusive global approach.
In addition to addressing pressing security concerns, the meeting underscored the importance of collaboration in disciplines like education, culture, and science, with a focus on fostering mutual understanding and learning.
China announced plans to provide 1,500 training opportunities and 600 scholarships for Central Asian students over the next three years, further highlighting its commitment to nurturing human capital and empowering the region.
Strengthening Ties: New Initiatives Launched
The ministers witnessed the launch of the “Tianfu” cross-border freight truck service, currently connecting 20 cities across Central Asia. Plans are already underway to expand this service to reach major urban centers within three years.
A dedicated “China-Central Asia Commodities Exhibition and Promotion Center” was also inaugurated.
Featuring national pavilions showcasing each nation’s unique products, the center aims to ignite new partnerships and foster greater trade exchange.
“We aim to create a dynamic platform for collaboration in trade, education, culture, and tourism,” announced Tim Yi
What specific sectors are targeted for cooperation between China and Central Asia, as discussed in the Chengdu meeting?
## China Strengthens Ties with Central Asia: An interview with Dr. Li Wei
**(Host):** Welcome back to the program. Today we’re discussing the recent meeting between China and Central Asian Foreign Ministers in Chengdu. Joining us is Dr. Li Wei, an expert on Chinese foreign policy. Dr. Li, thanks for being here.
**(Dr. Li Wei):** My pleasure.
**(Host):** This meeting follows the first China-Central Asia Summit in Xi’an last May. What were some of the key takeaways from this latest gathering?
**(Dr. Li Wei):** The Chengdu meeting signifies a significant deepening of ties between China and Central Asia. We witnessed a clear commitment to advancing cooperation across a broad range of sectors, including economics, trade, security, and cultural exchanges. Notably, they discussed establishing ministerial platforms for key areas such as trade, agriculture, and transportation, which speaks to their dedication to concrete, tangible outcomes.
**(Host):** The article mentions that China’s Belt and Road Initiative was discussed. Can you elaborate on its role in this relationship?
**(Dr. Li Wei):** The Belt and Road Initiative is a cornerstone of China’s engagement with Central Asia. The region plays a crucial role in connecting China with Europe and the Middle East, and the BRI facilitates infrastructure development and economic integration. The Central Asian nations expressed strong support for the initiative, recognizing its potential for driving regional prosperity.
**(Host):**
What are the implications of this strengthened partnership for the regional and global landscape?
**(Dr. Li Wei):** This burgeoning partnership presents multifaceted implications.
Regionally, it contributes to stability and economic development in Central Asia by countering potential external influences and cultivating a more prosperous and interconnected region. On a global scale, it underscores China’s growing influence and its commitment to multilateralism and a multipolar world order. [[1](https://www.usip.org/publications/2024/09/how-china-leveraging-security-cooperation-central-asia)]
**(Host):** Fascinating. Thank you, Dr. Li Wei, for providing insights into this developing relationship.
