Leaders of Central Asian countries and China signed a series of multilateral agreements during the Second Central Asia–China Summit, marking a step forward in regional cooperation across trade, infrastructure, and cultural ties.
Hosted in Astana, the summit brought together President Xi Jinping of China and the heads of state from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, who took part in the event as part of his working visit to Kazakhstan, emphasized the shared history and growing strategic partnership between Central Asia and China in his address to fellow leaders.
“We see today’s meeting as another opportunity to give new impetus to strengthening our ties in all areas of mutual interest,” President Japarov said.
He highlighted the rapid progress made over the past two years, noting that the summit format had become increasingly action-oriented, producing new initiatives across key areas of cooperation.
During the summit, the participating leaders signed and adopted two major documents: the Treaty on Eternal Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation and the Astana Declaration of the Second Central Asia–China Summit. These foundational texts reaffirm the long-term commitment to regional peace, stability, and mutually beneficial cooperation.
A wide range of sector-specific memorandums and action plans were also formalized. In the area of industrial and trade collaboration, Central Asian industrial departments signed a memorandum with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
The ministries of economy and trade signed an action plan and a memorandum of understanding to enhance trade and facilitate the free flow of goods.
Green development and sustainable investment were another focus. A memorandum of understanding on strengthening investment cooperation in “green minerals” was signed, stressing a shared commitment to eco-friendly industrial growth.
Transport and infrastructure connectivity featured prominently. Leaders signed memorandums to expand cooperation on the China–Central Asia–Europe express railways and approved an action plan for the high-quality implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative. Additional agreements aimed to simplify international transport permits and promote sustainable transport practices through joint initiatives.
In the cultural and humanitarian sphere, a joint program of events for 2025–2026 was adopted, along with an initiative to improve conditions for mutual travel by citizens of China and Central Asian countries. This reflects efforts to deepen people-to-people ties and mutual understanding.
Customs and border management cooperation was also reinforced through several agreements. These included memorandums on customs risk management, non-intrusive inspection technologies, and intelligent image recognition systems. The goal is to modernize and streamline border operations while enhancing security.
Twinning agreements were also reached, notably between the city of Bishkek and China’s Sichuan province, signaling a push to strengthen ties between regions and cities as part of broader regional cooperation.
President Japarov concluded his speech with a quote from renowned Kyrgyz writer Chinghiz Aitmatov:
“Peace begins with how you live with your neighbor. And if there is respect in your heart, borders disappear. There is no other person’s grief, no other person’s misfortune. We live next to each other not by chance, but by historical and spiritual necessity.”
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