Chinese President Xi Jinping joined leaders from five Central Asian nations on Tuesday to inaugurate landmark cooperation centers and a multilateral platform in Kazakhstan's capital Astana, marking a significant step in regional economic integration. The event underscores deepening ties under Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative framework.
The newly launched centers focus on industrial investment, agricultural technology, and cultural exchange between China and Central Asia. Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described the facilities as "engines for sustainable development" during the opening ceremony attended by heads of state from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
Analysts note the timing coincides with growing Central Asian demand for infrastructure modernization and China's push to stabilize cross-border supply chains. "These centers create formal channels for knowledge transfer and project coordination," explained Dr. Gulnara Shakirova, a Tashkent-based economist.
President Xi emphasized the initiative's alignment with "common development goals" during his remarks, highlighting planned collaborations in renewable energy and digital connectivity. The platform will facilitate joint ventures, with initial projects including smart agriculture systems and cross-border e-commerce networks.
