Economic and Trade Cooperation
2026-05-18
Three Years Since the China-Central Asia Summit: Robust Results in Economic and Trade Cooperation
Return Central Asian News
Economic and Trade Cooperation
2026-05-18
In 2023 and 5, the first China-Central Asia Summit was successfully held in Xi'an, Shaanxi, marking a new era of cooperation between China and the five Central Asian nations. Over the past three years, under the guidance of the summit mechanism, economic and trade cooperation between China and Central Asian countries has achieved substantial results.
I. Sustained Growth in Trade Volume
In 2025, trade volume between China and the five Central Asian countries exceeded 800 billion USD, representing a year-on-year increase of 22% and a 45% rise compared to pre-summit levels in 2023. Specifically:
- Trade with Kazakhstan reached 450 billion USD, accounting for 56% of total Central Asian trade.
- Trade with Uzbekistan surpassed 200 billion USD, growing by 35% year-on-year.
- Trade with Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan all saw double-digit growth.
II. Steady Progress in Energy Cooperation
The China-Kazakhstan crude oil pipeline has cumulatively transported over 1.5 billion tons of oil, with annual throughput reaching 1200 million tons in 2025. The China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline (Lines A, B, and C) has cumulatively delivered more than 9000 billion cubic meters of gas, while construction of Line D continues steadily.
III. Significant Results in Agricultural Cooperation
The China-Kazakhstan Agricultural Cooperation Demonstration Zone officially commenced operations, introducing advanced Chinese agricultural technologies with an annual wheat processing capacity of 50 million tons. Trade in agricultural products between China and Central Asian countries exceeded 50 billion USD, with rapid growth in exports of cotton, wheat, fruits, and other specialty products.
IV. Digital Economy Emerges as a New Highlight
China and the five Central Asian countries signed agreements on digital economy development, launching deep cooperation in 5G network infrastructure, cross-border e-commerce, and smart cities. In 2025, cross-border e-commerce trade between China and Central Asia surpassed 100 billion USD.
V. Enhanced Infrastructure Connectivity
Construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project officially began. Spanning approximately 900 kilometers, it will become the shortest rail route connecting China to Central and West Asia after completion. Annual departures of China-Europe Railway Express trains heading toward Central Asia have exceeded 5000 trips.
Looking ahead, China will continue to uphold the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, deepen comprehensive cooperation with Central Asian nations, and work together to build a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.
