Q&A: Expert's insights on key outcomes of 2nd China-Central Asia Summit (Part II)

The second China-Central Asia Summit concluded on Tuesday in Astana, Kazakhstan, producing a broad consensus on cooperation across a range of areas – including security, trade, science and technology, cultural exchanges and regional development.

Among the 110 listed outcomes were landmark agreements such as the Treaty of Permanent Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, the Astana Declaration and several practical cooperation projects. These include the establishment of the China-Central Asia poverty reduction cooperation center, the China-Central Asia education exchange cooperation center, the China-Central Asia desertification control cooperation center, and the China-Central Asia smooth trade cooperation platform.

To gain deeper insight into how these outcomes will further advance China-Central Asia cooperation, CGTN spoke with Cui Zheng, director of the Research Center for Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asian Countries at Liaoning University.

Below is the second part of CGTN's two-part interview with the expert. The conversations have been lightly edited for clarity and conciseness.

CGTN: How will the summit's outcomes boost high-quality regional cooperation between China and Central Asian countries?

Cui Zheng: Since the first China-Central Asia Summit, the two sides have achieved steady progress in deepening trade and connectivity, moving toward a complementary and mutually beneficial partnership. High-quality Belt and Road cooperation has yielded fruitful outcomes, injecting strong momentum into building a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

In his speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping set out proposals calling on the two sides to stay committed to their fundamental goal of unity, always trust and support each other, optimize the cooperation framework to make it more results-oriented, more efficient and more deeply integrated, develop a security framework for peace, tranquility and solidarity, cement the bonds of shared vision, mutual understanding and mutual affection between our peoples, and uphold a fair and equitable international order and an equal and orderly world structure.

These priorities align with China's three major global initiatives – the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative – and reflect China's steadfast commitment to fairness and responsibility in an increasingly turbulent world.

To implement the objectives of "2025-2026 China-Central Asia High-Quality Cooperation Years," we must enhance connectivity to facilitate trade, promote industrial upgrading through coordinated development, bridge technological gaps via innovation-sharing, and advance self-driven development through mutual learning. Together, these efforts will further consolidate a resilient and future-oriented regional community.

CGTN: What experience can the summit offer for broader international cooperation?

Cui: This summit offers much-needed momentum against the backdrop of de-globalization. Since the rise of "America First" policies, unilateral tariffs and protectionism have disrupted global trade rules and damaged the international economic order. As President Xi has emphasized, only by upholding fairness, justice, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation can the world achieve lasting peace and common development. Trade wars and unilateralism help no one. In this context, the China-Central Asia partnership, guided by a shared spirit, provides critical support for safeguarding multilateral trade and global economic stability.

The summit also contributes to global efforts toward a green transformation. China is a global leader in green development, advancing in areas such as hydrogen energy, renewable power and the electric vehicle supply chain. Central Asian countries, while traditionally rich in fossil fuels, have growing needs for cooperation in new energy and sustainable development. The summit's new vision for green cooperation aligns with the focus on "green innovation" proposed at the first summit in 2022, underscoring both sides' commitment to building a community of life between man and nature.

Lastly, the summit supports the pursuit of a more equal and orderly multipolar world and provides a shared wisdom for global governance. Amid ongoing crises like the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the renewed violence in Gaza, the global security landscape has become increasingly volatile. China, as a responsible major country, regards Central Asia as a priority partner in building a shared future. China fully supports the efforts of Central Asian countries to modernize their defense and law enforcement capacities, and stands ready to assist in counterterrorism, cybersecurity, biosafety and peacekeeping initiatives, including safe city projects and joint training programs.

Read more: Q&A: Expert insights on key outcomes of 2nd China-Central Asia Summit (Part I)

(Cover via CMG)