China Media Group (CMG) has unveiled a curated selection of premium film and television content in Astana, Kazakhstan, as Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit. The initiative aims to strengthen cultural bonds across the region through shared storytelling.
Twelve CMG-produced programs are now broadcasting on major networks in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The lineup includes documentaries, dramas, and cultural programs showcasing China's development and cross-regional cooperation themes.
At the virtual launch ceremony, CMG President Shen Haixiong emphasized President Xi's vision for China-Central Asia relations: "We are committed to being a reliable partner in building a community with a shared future. Cultural exchanges like this inject vitality into our cooperation." The event featured video addresses from diplomatic and media leaders across all five Central Asian nations.
The showcase coincides with heightened economic collaboration, with bilateral trade between China and Central Asia growing 27% year-on-year to $89 billion in 2023. Analysts suggest the cultural initiative complements ongoing infrastructure and energy projects under China's Belt and Road framework.
