"Central Asia – China": A Long-Term Model of Regional Cooperation

Today, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, will participate in the second "Central Asia – China" Summit, which will be held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The primary objective of this platform is to enhance efforts to strengthen multifaceted ties between the countries of the region and China, as well as to develop interregional cooperation.

The agenda of the format includes an exchange of views on global and regional issues, and the consolidation of cooperation in areas such as politics, security, trade, economy, investment, transport, regional connectivity, agriculture, energy, green energy, customs, cultural and humanitarian spheres, and the alignment of national development strategies with the "Belt and Road Initiative".

The "Central Asia – China" dialogue, which is gaining a systemic character, is primarily aimed at achieving mutual economic benefit. Over recent years, China has consistently ranked among the leading trade partners of Central Asian countries. With Chinese capital involvement, dozens of projects are being implemented across all countries in the region, spanning industry, energy, transport, logistics, and trade.

Currently, approximately 6,000 joint ventures have been established between Central Asian and Chinese partners. The region’s total trade turnover with China amounted to 94.8 billion US dollars in 2024, and is expected to reach 100 billion US dollars in 2025.

Central Asia is a key element of the "Belt and Road Initiative" strategy, within which large-scale construction of roads, trade hubs, and logistics infrastructure is underway to create new transport corridors to Europe.

The first "Central Asia – China" Summit was held on May 18-19, 2023, in Xi’an. The Xi’an Summit concluded with the signing of the Xi’an Declaration, the establishment of a mechanism for biennial meetings of heads of state alternating between China and one of the regional countries, and the intensification of inter-agency cooperation. As a result, nine multilateral documents were signed, and 19 cooperation platforms were created.

Specifically, the format has launched multilateral cooperation mechanisms including meetings of ministers of agriculture, interior ministers, foreign ministers, education ministers, transport ministers, customs heads, ministers of economy and trade, forums of analytical centers, news agencies, and others.

Preparations for the second "Central Asia – China" Summit began with the 6th meeting of foreign ministers in Almaty in April 2025, where the agenda was discussed and documents intended for signing at the upcoming high-level multilateral meeting in Astana were agreed upon.

Analysts believe this format promises to evolve into a long-term system of regional cooperation.

As an active participant in the "Central Asia – China" format, Uzbekistan continues to successfully engage with China on a bilateral basis. A close, trusting political dialogue has been established between the leaders of the two countries, giving bilateral cooperation a stable and dynamic character.

In 2022, Uzbekistan and China elevated their bilateral relations to the level of a year-round strategic partnership. This status reflects a high degree of mutual trust, the sustainability of cooperation, and the readiness of both sides for close interaction regardless of the international situation. It confirms the intention of Uzbekistan and China to strengthen multifaceted relations on a long-term basis.

One of the key factors behind this progress is the structural reforms carried out under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, which have created favorable conditions for attracting major foreign investors, including Chinese corporations. Chinese companies actively participate in joint projects in energy, construction, mechanical engineering, chemistry, textile industry, and other sectors.

Today, China is Uzbekistan’s leading trade and economic partner. In 2024, the trade turnover exceeded 13 billion US dollars. Since 2011, the Uzbek-Chinese Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee has been operating, with its 7th session held in Tashkent on May 13, 2024.

China remains the leading investor partner of Uzbekistan. In 2024, 64 projects were launched with a total value of 1.9 billion US dollars, and the total volume of Chinese investments absorbed between 2017 and 2024 reached 23.1 billion US dollars. Currently, over 3,500 enterprises with Chinese investment operate in Uzbekistan, 220 of which were established in 2025.

Inter-parliamentary and interregional cooperation is actively developing, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges are expanding, reflecting a high level of mutual trust and a desire to deepen comprehensive ties. Historical links between the peoples of the two countries provide a strong foundation for this.

The constructive nature of Uzbek-Chinese relations sets a positive tone for the entire regional agenda, plays an important role in strengthening partnership, and serves as one of the key factors in enhancing the effectiveness of cooperation within the "Central Asia – China" format.

The upcoming "Central Asia – China" Summit in Astana is expected to give new impetus to the consolidation of the region on the most urgent and pressing issues.

The participation of our country’s Head of state in this meeting will once again confirm Uzbekistan’s commitment to strengthening an atmosphere of trust, good neighborliness, and constructive search for mutually acceptable approaches to solving pressing regional and international problems.