Opening the second Central Asia – China summit, Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev greeted the Chairman of the People's Republic of China and the leaders of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
The Head of State began his opening remarks by thanking the Chairman of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping for his firm commitment to the course of comprehensive cooperation with the countries of Central Asia. He also expressed gratitude to the heads of the fraternal Central Asian states for their active involvement in the work of the summit and their continued support for regional cooperation.
- Thanks to mutual trust and joint efforts of the states present here, an unprecedented model of cooperation in the spirit of genuine good-neighborliness, friendship and mutual support has been formed in Central Asia. In this regard, it would be fair to note the active and useful role of China, led by the great statesman Chairman Xi Jinping. In neighboring China, Kazakhstan has found an eternal and reliable strategic partner, a true friend.
Our region, with a large market of 80 million people and rich natural resources, is consistently strengthening its position as an important subject of international relations and trade, economic, investment and humanitarian cooperation. Comprehensive cooperation with the People's Republic of China plays a key role in this positive process. I would like to note with great pleasure that relations between Central Asia and China have reached the level of eternal, "all-weather" and comprehensive strategic partnership, the President said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that the synergy of existing opportunities will create a powerful foundation for further dynamic and mutually beneficial cooperation with China.
– The combined GDP of the Central Asian states is confidently approaching the half-trillion-dollar mark. Over the past five years, intraregional trade turnover has increased significantly, exceeding 10 billion dollars. Last year, China accounted for about 40% of the total foreign trade turnover of our region, which amounted to a record 95 billion dollars. 46% of this figure comes from Kazakhstan. Mutual trade turnover with China reached 44 billion dollars. An important component of Kazakhstan's economic growth has become Chinese investments, the total volume of which has exceeded 26 billion dollars. About 5 thousand enterprises with Chinese capital are successfully operating in Kazakhstan, – the President added.
He confirmed the consistency of Astana’s policy aimed at attracting widespread Chinese investment.
- Work is underway in Kazakhstan to identify new growth points in the economy. Particular attention in this work is given to the launch of joint ventures with China, expanding the range of goods and increasing the volume of exports of products in demand on the Chinese market. We have high hopes for the creation of high-tech fourth-stage production facilities that produce products with high added value. We consider cooperation in agriculture to be extremely important, including the introduction of advanced agricultural technologies and effective water-saving developments. We count on the participation of Chinese companies in the localization of agro-industrial complex production. The Khorgos International Center for Cross-Border Cooperation is designed to give a new impetus to economic cooperation between our countries, - he said.
As the President noted, in the current geopolitical realities, ensuring reliable and secure supply routes is a strategic task for all countries.
– Central Asia is becoming a key logistics hub linking the largest regions of Asia and Europe. In 2024, the total volume of cargo transportation from China through Central Asian countries exceeded 211 thousand containers, an increase of 12%. Kazakhstan accounts for 85% of all land transportation from China to Europe. We attach exceptional importance to strengthening transcontinental connectivity and revealing the competitive advantages of the Central Asian region.
Introducing the first link of the mega-project "One Belt, One Road", Kazakhstan advocates its connection with the key transport corridors "Western China - Western Europe", the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and "North - South". To increase the attractiveness of the Trans-Caspian route, we are taking systemic measures to modernize and digitalize the ports of the Caspian Sea, build cargo terminals, and establish the production of transport vessels. We propose considering the issue of creating a joint cargo terminal with China in the port of Kuryk on the Caspian Sea, the Head of State suggested.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev named cooperation in the energy sector as a key factor in regional stability.
– Central Asia contains 20% of the world’s uranium reserves, over 17% of oil, 7% of natural gas, as well as impressive deposits of rare earth metals. In other words, the potential for cooperation in this sector is, without exaggeration, enormous. We hope to intensify exchanges of advanced technologies and modernize the energy infrastructure. It is also important to pay attention to strengthening regional energy security, technological development and diversification of energy sources. Given the People’s Republic of China’s rich successful experience in nuclear energy, we are interested in developing sustainable cooperation in this strategic area. We will prepare to sign the agreement in the very near future, – the President added.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highly praised the initiative of the Chairman of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping to create a "community of common destiny of neighboring countries", noting its compliance with the principles of equal partnership, mutual benefit and respect. The head expressed satisfaction that these principles were reflected in the "Treaty on Eternal Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation", which will be signed following the summit.
Kazakhstan advocates for Central Asia to become the epicenter of peace, sustainable security and productive cooperation. The country intends to continue the fight against religious extremism, terrorism, separatism, drug trafficking, illegal arms trade, migration and human trafficking. The fight against international cybercrime requires special attention, in connection with which the President proposed establishing permanent contacts between the heads of relevant departments.
The head of state highly appreciated the dynamics of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the peoples of Central Asia and China. The opening of joint cultural centers, the development of the creative industry and tourism were called important steps in this direction.
"We welcome the launch of the first tourist train from Xi'an to Almaty. This event, timed to coincide with the Year of China Tourism in Kazakhstan, has become a vivid embodiment of the spirit of the Great Silk Road, thanks to which goods and ideas were exchanged across Eurasia for many centuries," the President said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the establishment of sister city relations between Almaty and Shanghai, as well as regions of Kazakhstan and China. Expressing support for the Chinese side's initiative to hold thematic years of cooperation between China and Central Asia, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed declaring 2026 the "Year of Education and Scientific Research" to stimulate humanitarian cooperation.
Kazakhstan is actively developing educational infrastructure and technology parks, counting on the creation of joint research laboratories and "engineering academies" with the participation of Chinese technology companies. According to the Head of State, a new generation of professionals will become the basis for the digital, "green" and industrial transformation of the region.
The speech also highlighted the importance of developing a long-term strategy for the “Central Asia – China” format for 2026–2030.
In conclusion, the President noted that today's summit confirmed the common interest in strengthening good-neighborliness, mutually beneficial cooperation and sustainable development of the countries of the region. He expressed confidence that the proposed initiatives will become the basis for eternal friendship and strategic partnership. He also emphasized that thanks to joint efforts, the Central Asia-China format has been successfully institutionalized.
The second Central Asia – China summit was also attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
By the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
