On June 3, 2025, Astana hosted the 5th Forum of Analytical Centers “Central Asia – China: New Horizons of Regional Partnership”, organized by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan jointly with the Institute of East European, Russian, and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

More than 50 representatives from leading analytical centers, governmental structures, scientific institutions, ministries, and agencies of Central Asian countries and China took part in the forum.

The forum agenda covered a broad range of cooperation directions within the “Central Asia – China” format, focusing on enhancing economic and investment ties, strengthening industrial cooperation, establishing sustainable transport and logistics routes, and expanding cultural and humanitarian interaction.

Bakhtiyor Mustafayev, Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies (ISRS), delivered a report during the first session titled “Strategic Architecture of Central Asia – China Cooperation: Systematic Approach, Openness, and Common Interests”. In his presentation, he outlined the prospects for cooperation between Central Asian countries and China.

The expert highlighted that in recent years, interactions between Central Asian countries and China have transformed from traditional cooperation into a multifaceted strategic partnership. As noted, a unique model of regional cooperation is emerging, based on principles of equality, mutual respect, and consideration of all parties’ interests.

According to Mr. Mustafayev, the unprecedented growth of economic cooperation is another vivid confirmation of the positive dynamics between the regions. Thus, in 2024, total trade turnover between Central Asian countries and China exceeded $95 billion, accounting for nearly 40% of the region’s total foreign trade volume.

The expert noted that investment cooperation also demonstrates steady, positive growth. According to the Eurasian Development Bank, Central Asia accounts for 47% of all Chinese investments in the Eurasian region, totaling $27.7 billion. “Significantly, we are observing considerable expansion in sectoral diversification”, emphasized Mr. Mustafayev.

UzA