A closer partnership between China and Central Asia brings greater certainty to world peace and development.

In a world increasingly divided by geopolitical tensions and economic headwinds, growing cooperation between China and Central Asian countries is a key force for stability—one that promotes both regional peace and sustainable development.

Grounded in thousands of years of exchanges along the ancient Silk Road and supported by three decades of contemporary partnership, the relationship between China and Central Asia has matured into a new model of international relations – one based on mutual respect, complementary development, and strategic trust.

With the second China-Central Asia Summit scheduled to be held from June 16 to 18, expectations are growing that it will inject new momentum into regional development, economic connectivity, and cross-border understanding, and serve as a shining example of how regional cooperation can contribute to addressing global challenges and promoting a more inclusive international order.

China was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the five countries after their independence. Over the years, it has strongly supported each other's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and respected the countries' choices in pursuing their own development paths.

Development and prosperity remain elusive without stability and security. In their shared pursuit of regional peace and security, China and the Central Asian countries have stood in solidarity against the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism, and extremism, as well as drug trafficking and transnational organized crime, creating a favorable environment for economic growth and improving the well-being of the people in the region.

Communication and win-win cooperation remain the cornerstone of China-Central Asia relations. This was evident in Kazakhstan in 2013 when Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt, a flagship initiative of the Belt and Road Initiative.

This photo taken on April 3, 2023 shows some of the wind turbines at the 100-megawatt Xanatas wind farm in Xanatas, Kazakhstan. (Xinhua)

Over the years, Belt and Road cooperation has evolved with the completion of a number of landmark projects, notably the China-Central Asia gas pipeline, the largest wind farm in Central Asia in Kazakhstan, and China-Europe freight trains passing through the region.

Take, for example, the China-Central Asia gas pipeline. Stretching through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, it has supplied China with more than 500 billion cubic meters of natural gas since it entered service in 2009, ensuring energy security for both sides while generating significant revenue for Central Asian economies.

Globally, rising protectionism and attempts to fragment the global economy threaten to undermine the global economic recovery. Economic and trade cooperation between China and Central Asia stands out as a remarkable example of how mutually beneficial partnerships can contribute to promoting common development.

In 2024, trade between China and Central Asia rose to approximately US$95 billion, an increase of US$5.4 billion over the previous year. This sustained growth demonstrates not only the strong complementarity between the economies of China and Central Asia, but also their shared commitment to an open global economy and a rules-based multilateral trading system.

Exhibitors from China brief readers on the contents of a book on display during the Eurasian Book Fair in Astana, Kazakhstan, April 23, 2025. (Xinhua)

Cultural and popular dimensions are equally important. Educational exchanges, language programs, cultural initiatives, and tourism cooperation have brought the peoples of China and Central Asia closer together than ever before.

In an era of geopolitical turmoil and widening governance deficits, the call for a more just and inclusive global order has become more urgent.

As key players in the Global South, China and the Central Asian countries are committed to genuine multilateralism, mutual respect for sovereignty, choosing their own development paths, and resolving contentious issues on the global stage through dialogue. This shared commitment reflects a growing consensus among developing countries toward achieving more just and equitable global governance, as well as sustainable world peace and common development.

By cooperating within platforms such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, it not only defends its core interests but also contributes to amplifying the voice of the countries of the Global South calling for a more just international order.

Through a shared vision and concrete actions, China and the Central Asian countries are establishing a model of inclusive and mutually beneficial development—a path based on mutual respect that offers valuable insights to the international community amid growing divisions and suspicions.