China strengthens ties with Central Asia: what the Astana summit hides

What do the ancient Silk Roads and modern geopolitical ambitions have in common? The answer lies in Astana, where the second Central Asia-China Summit kicked off on June 16, 2025. Will this event be a turning point for a region traditionally dominated by another player? Or is it just another step in a long game where economics, security, and culture are intertwined into a single strategy? Find out how China is changing the rules of the game.

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Astana Summit: The Beginning of a New Era of Cooperation

The second Central Asia-China Summit opened in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on June 16, 2025, and lasted until June 18. The event brought together leaders from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to discuss key issues of regional cooperation. It culminated in the signing of a Treaty of Everlasting Good-Neighborly Friendship and Cooperation, which Chinese President Xi Jinping said would elevate relations between the participants to a new level (Reuters).

In his speech, Xi Jinping stressed the importance of the “China-Central Asia spirit,” which is based on mutual respect, trust, benefit, and assistance to jointly achieve modernity through high-quality development (Astana Times). China announced a grant of 1,5 billion yuan (about 208 million US dollars) for key projects aimed at improving welfare and achieving development goals. Trade between China and Central Asia in the first five months of 2025 reached 286,42 billion yuan, up 10,4% year-on-year. Since the first summit in 2023, trade has increased by 35%, reaching nearly 100 billion US dollars, and the number of joint ventures and projects has exceeded 10 (Reuters).

Economic integration: China as a locomotive of development

Economic cooperation was at the heart of the summit. Chinese investment in the region has already exceeded US$50 billion, focusing on infrastructure, energy and digital technologies. The summit concluded with the signing of the Astana Declaration, which outlines new ways of cooperation in various sectors, including agriculture, energy and trade (Astana Times).

In agriculture, it is planned to increase the visibility of agricultural products through the China International Import Expo, develop smart agriculture, and introduce water-saving technologies. In the energy sector, the China-Central Asia Energy Development Partnership has been established, covering both traditional industries such as oil, gas, and coal, and clean energy sources such as hydropower, solar power, wind power, hydrogen energy, and peaceful nuclear energy (People's Daily).

Transportation revolution: new ways of connectivity

Transport infrastructure was a key focus of the summit. Participants agreed to improve road and rail connectivity, open more direct flights, and simplify visa procedures with five Central Asian countries. They also plan to explore the possibility of opening consular offices and accelerate the modernization of existing port facilities, with consideration of the need to build new ports in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan (Reuters).

An important project is the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, which has been discussed since the 1990s but has gained new significance since the sanctions against Russia. The laying of the first stone of this project is scheduled for July 2025. The cross-border transport route "Tianfu" is also mentioned, which reduces logistics time to 12-18 days (Special Eurasia).

Energy cooperation: from uranium to green energy

Energy is one of the main areas of China's cooperation with Central Asia. China is already one of the largest importers of uranium from Kazakhstan and is investing in rare earth metals, which are key to high-tech industries. The summit reaffirmed a commitment to deepen cooperation in both traditional and clean energy sectors (People's Daily).

China is seeking to diversify energy exports from Central Asia, including oil, gas, coal, hydropower, solar and wind power, hydrogen energy, and peaceful nuclear energy. This partnership aims to ensure the region's energy security and reduce dependence on traditional sources (People's Daily).

Security and geopolitical implications: a new balance of power

Security has also become an important topic of discussion. China supports Central Asian countries in modernizing law enforcement agencies and fighting terrorism, transnational organized crime and ensuring cybersecurity. Xi Jinping said that China resolutely opposes hegemonism and power politics, and is ready to work with Central Asian countries to safeguard international justice (China Daily).

The geopolitical implications of the summit are significant. China is strengthening its economic ties with Central Asia amid Russia's war in Ukraine and the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, which is affecting regional stability. This is seen as China's attempt to fill the vacuum created by Russia's distraction in Ukraine (China Global South).

Cultural dialogue: bridges between peoples

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation was also highlighted. The summit hosted a China-Central Asia Forum on Cultural Exchanges, which proposed the China-Central Asia Media Cooperation Initiative and the establishment of the China-Central Asia Media Alliance for joint coverage, content exchange, information dissemination, technology innovation, and human resource development (ECNS).

These initiatives are aimed at strengthening cultural ties and creating a positive image of China in the eyes of the Central Asian population. However, as some analysts point out, it is important to take into account local traditions and environmental aspects to avoid possible conflicts (Special Eurasia).

The international community's reaction: who else is playing?

The international community is closely watching the events in Astana. For the United States and the European Union, the summit is a sign of China's growing influence in a region they see as strategically important. The United States is trying to increase its presence through programs to support democracy and economic development, but China's economic power poses a significant challenge (China Global South).

Ukraine, interested in diversifying trade routes, sees potential opportunities in new connectivity projects emerging from the summit. Ukrainian experts believe that these developments could open up new opportunities for Kyiv, especially in the context of diversifying trade routes from Russia (Special Eurasia).

Prospects and challenges: what's next?

While the summit promises significant economic benefits for Central Asian countries, there are also challenges. Economic dependence on China could limit the sovereignty of these countries, some analysts have noted. In addition, environmental issues, such as the impact of Chinese projects on water resources, remain a matter of controversy. For example, China's construction of dams on the Irtysh and Ili rivers has raised concerns about water shortages in downstream countries (Special Eurasia).

For Central Asian states, the balance between economic benefits and maintaining political independence will be key. It is also important to ensure sustainable development that takes into account environmental aspects. As noted Special Eurasia, the countries of the region must learn to maneuver between the interests of major players in order to preserve their identity.

Conclusions: a new era or a temporary alliance?

The second Central Asia-China Summit in Astana marked an important step in the development of relations between China and the five Central Asian countries. With ambitious plans for economic integration, improved connectivity, and enhanced security cooperation, the summit ushers in a new era of regional cooperation. However, as these countries navigate the complexities of a grand geopolitical game, they must ensure that their sovereignty and long-term interests are protected.

As the world enters a new era of Eurasian cooperation, the outcomes of this summit will have far-reaching implications not only for the region but also for the global balance of power. Will this summit be a point of no return, or is it just another stage in a long game? The answer to this question remains to be seen.

Sources: Reuters, Astana Times, Reuters, People's Daily, China Daily, ECNS, China Global South, Special Eurasia.