China-Central Asia Summit: Leaders to Sign Important Political Documents and Deepen Strategic Cooperation

Yu Jun disclosed that the leaders of various countries will exchange in-depth views on mechanism building, various types of cooperation, and major international and regional issues of common concern, and reach a series of important consensus on deepening China-Central Asia strategic mutual trust and cooperation in key areas. The heads of state of the six countries will also jointly sign a number of important political documents, covering various fields such as economy, trade, investment, and interconnection.

This summit is China’s first major home-court diplomatic event this year, and it is also the first time since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the five Central Asian countries that the heads of state of the six countries have held the summit in a physical form. The summit was chaired by Xi Jinping, and Kazakh President Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Zaparov, Tajik President Rakhmon, Turkmen President Sherdar Berdymukhamedov, and Uzbek President Mirziyoyev were invited to attend the summit.

Xi to receive state visits from 4 countries including Kazakhstan

Bilateral talks with Turkmenistan

Yu Jun said that in just two days, China will hold nearly 20 bilateral and multilateral activities, and will also match many unique supporting activities. At the multilateral level, Xi Jinping will host the roundtable summit, attend the signing ceremony with the heads of state of the five countries after the meeting, and plant friendship trees together. Xi Jinping and his wife will also hold a unique welcome ceremony and welcome dinner for the leaders and wives of the five countries, watch performances together and attend the launching ceremony of the People’s Year of Culture and Art between China and Central Asian Countries and the China-Central Asia Youth Art Festival.

At the bilateral level, Xi Jinping will receive the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan for state visits to China, and hold bilateral meetings with the Turkmen president. Peng Liyuan, wife of Xi Jinping, will attend relevant people-to-people exchange activities together with the two wives of the presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

When asked about the differences with the “C5+1” mechanism of the United States, Russia and Europe

Yu Jun: The Chinese mechanism focuses on pragmatism and has no intention of competition

The five Central Asian countries have established the “C5+1” mechanism with the United States, Russia, Japan, and the European Union. A reporter asked, what is the difference between the Chinese version of “C5+1” and the “C5+1” of the United States, Russia and Europe? Competing with other countries? Yu Jun said, “Although the China-Central Asia mechanism started relatively late, it focuses on pragmatism and respects the demands of all countries. It is deeply supported and welcomed by Central Asian countries. The cooperation between China and Central Asia is not aimed at third parties, nor does it intend to cooperate with other Mechanism competition.”

This year coincides with the 10th anniversary of the “Belt and Road” initiative. Central Asia is the first initiative and an important partner for the joint construction of the “Belt and Road”. All the way” consensus. In 2022, the total trade volume between China and the five Central Asian countries will exceed US$70 billion, a record high, with an average annual growth rate of more than 15%.

Xu Tao, deputy director of the Institute of Eurasian Social Development and director of the Central Asia Department of the Development Research Center of the State Council, pointed out that in recent years, changes in the world pattern, especially the development of the Ukraine crisis, have added uncertainties to regional stability and development. Neighboring countries have always been the priority direction of China’s diplomacy, which is related to the external environment of China’s peaceful rise. Central Asian countries have a good foundation for cooperation with China and “are a stable force.”

■Mingpao reporting hotline: inews@mingpao.com / 9181 4676