2025 China-Central Asia Summit Set to Unlock New Economic Opportunities and Strengthen Regional Cooperation
China and Central Asia gear up for a new era of economic cooperation as June 2025 summit approaches, boosting regional connectivity and prosperity.
As anticipation builds for the second China-Central Asia Summit in June 2025, expectations are high that the event will usher in a new chapter of economic collaboration between China and the five Central Asian nations. In recent years, joint infrastructure initiatives and expanding trade partnerships have demonstrated a shared vision for a more connected and prosperous region.
The momentum toward deeper cooperation was evident at the 5th China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which convened last December in Chengdu. Top diplomats from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan pledged to expand their work together in sectors such as trade, investment, and logistics, all within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). One notable outcome was the launch of the "Tianfu" cross-border road transport line—a strategic logistics corridor originating in China's Sichuan Province and extending across Central Asia.
Following the summit, ten trucks carrying new energy equipment and local specialty products departed from Chengdu Tianfu New Area, embarking on a westward journey that passes through multiple provinces before reaching Central Asian markets. This new route has dramatically shortened delivery times—now only 12 to 18 days—which is anticipated to significantly enhance regional supply chains, reduce transportation costs, and boost trade volume.
Since its inauguration in 2022, the Tianfu cross-border service has grown rapidly. It now connects more than 20 cities in five Central Asian countries and transports over 40 types of goods. Officials have committed to further broadening the route's reach and optimizing its efficiency in the coming years, reflecting the growing significance of cross-regional logistics in supporting broader economic ties.
Infrastructure and connectivity remain central to the China-Central Asia partnership. In addition to the road network, a major highlight on the horizon is the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) Railway. Set to break ground in July 2025, this landmark project will provide a vital link between China and Central Asia. Its completion is expected to cut transit times, lower shipping costs, and catalyze economic expansion across the region by attracting foreign investment and improving access to global markets, particularly for Central Asia’s rich mineral resources.
Analysts point out that a lack of comprehensive infrastructure has long impeded economic growth both within Central Asia and in its relations with China. The ongoing efforts to build railways, highways, and logistical centers are thus viewed as game-changing for the region’s development. Regular high-level meetings, along with institutional mechanisms like the newly established China-Central Asia Secretariat, are facilitating more effective coordination and implementation of multi-lateral agreements.
The impact of these efforts is apparent in trade figures. Bilateral trade between China and Central Asian countries has soared from just $460 million in the early 1990s to nearly $95 billion in 2024. Growth has been especially strong in recent years, with trade surpassing $50 billion in 2021, rising to $70.2 billion in 2022, and hitting $89.4 billion in 2023. This upward trajectory is expected to continue in 2025, driven by expanding demand and improved transport links.
Amid wider global uncertainties and the lingering effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, China has reiterated its commitment to building a “China-Central Asia community with a shared future.” Through multilateralism and support for open trade, representatives from all member states have agreed to deepen BRI cooperation and advance regional stability, as outlined in a joint communiqué issued during their most recent ministerial meeting in April.
Looking ahead, the upcoming summit in Kazakhstan is poised to announce a series of new initiatives and formalize critical projects, moving the China-Central Asia partnership into a phase of strategic depth and opportunity. With infrastructure barriers being dismantled and policy coordination on the rise, expectations are high that the region will unlock fresh avenues for mutual economic growth and regional integration in the coming years.
