China and President Tokayev of Central Asia Announce Everlasting Strategic Alliance
Central Asia and China's Strategic Partnership: The New Frontier
ASTANA – According to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the partnership between Central Asia and China has reached unprecedented heights, transforming into an eternal and comprehensive strategic partnership. This was declared as he addressed the second Central Asia-China summit on June 17 in Astana.
"This synergy of existing opportunities will create a powerful foundation for further dynamic and mutually beneficial cooperation with China," Tokayev exclaimed. A photograph courtesy of Akorda captured the moment.
The combined GDP of the Central Asian region is approaching the half-trillion-dollar mark, and intraregional trade has surpassed $10 billion over the past five years. In 2024, China accounted for nearly 40% of Central Asia's foreign trade, totaling a record $95 billion. Among this figure, Kazakhstan alone contributed nearly $44 billion.
Currently, there are nearly 5,000 enterprises with Chinese capital operating within the country, and total Chinese investment in Kazakhstan has surpassed $26 billion. Tokayev emphasized the importance of establishing joint ventures with China, expanding the range of goods, and increasing exports of in-demand products.
The President highlighted the launch of high-tech fourth-stage production facilities that make high-value products as a key focus. Collaboration in agriculture, including the introduction of advanced agricultural technologies and effective water-saving developments, is considered extremely important.
Tokayev noted that, considering the current geopolitical landscape, ensuring reliable and secure supply routes is a strategic imperative 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 211,000 containers, representing a 12% increase. Kazakhstan accounts for 85% of all land transportation from China to Europe.
Introducing the first link of the Belt and Road Initiative, Kazakhstan advocates for its connection with the key transport corridors of Western China-Western Europe, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), and the North-South route.
Kazakhstan is also modernizing and digitizing its Caspian Sea ports, building cargo terminals, and establishing a production line for transport vessels to increase the attractiveness of the TITR. A joint cargo terminal with China at the port of Kuryk is proposed for the future.
Cooperation in the energy sector is seen as a key factor in regional sustainability. Central Asia holds 20% of the world's uranium reserves, over 17% of oil, and 7% of natural gas, alongside impressive deposits of rare earth metals. Given the rich, successful experience of China in nuclear energy, the partnership is aiming to develop sustainable cooperation in this strategic area.
Tokayew praised Chinese President Xi Jinping's initiative to create a "community of common destiny of neighboring countries." He called for enhanced collaboration on security threats such as extremism, terrorism, separatism, drug trafficking, illegal arms trade, migration, and human trafficking, advocating for Central Asia to become the "epicenter of peace, sustainable security and productive interaction."
Tokayew highly appreciated the dynamics of cultural and humanitarian cooperation, identifying the opening of joint cultural centers, the development of the creative industry and tourism as important steps in this direction. The launch of a new Xi'an-Almaty tourist train and the declaration of 2026 as the Year of Education and Scientific Research to stimulate humanitarian cooperation are examples of this.
A long-term strategy for the Central Asia-China format for 2026-2030 is in the process of development. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also addressed the summit.
Following the event, the heads of state signed the Astana Declaration of the second Central Asia-China summit and the Treaty on Eternal Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship, and Cooperation.
Sideline Insights:
- Economic Cooperation: The strategic partnership will focus on lucrative projects, technological advancements, and more opportunities for personnel exchanges in the upcoming years.
- Supply Routes and Infrastructure: Both China and Central Asia aim to optimize cooperation frameworks, make supply chains more resilient, and enhance digital infrastructure.
- Energy Cooperation: The partnership will strive to foster green and sustainable energy through technology transfer and joint innovation.
- Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges: Collaboration efforts will expand training and academic opportunities while nurturing a more culturally diverse community.
- Security and Institutional Cooperation: Central Asia and China will work together to establish a robust security framework for regional peace and tranquility.
"The strategic partnership between China and Central Asia, as encapsulated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, will extend into the realms of general news and politics, as they aim to enhance their economic cooperation through lucrative projects, technological advancements, and increased personnel exchanges in the coming years."
"Moreover, this partnership will also focus on optimizing supply routes and infrastructure, making supply chains more resilient, and enhancing digital infrastructure, particularly in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR)."
