On the evening of May 18, the China-Central Asia Summit opened to build regional influence in the context of leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized nations also meeting in Japan.
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| Leaders of various countries and their spouses attended the China-Central Asia Summit in Xi'an city on the evening of May 18. |
The conference took place on May 18-19 in the ancient city of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, western China, the eastern terminus of the "Silk Road" that once connected China to Europe via Central Asia.
This is the first time the conference has taken place in person since China established relations with Central Asian countries (including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) 31 years ago.
Affirming that the summit has “very important significance”, Beijing hopes to deepen relations with this strategically important region.
Speaking at a welcoming banquet within the framework of the Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed a "new era" in relations with Central Asian countries.
According to the leader, strengthening relations is a "strategic choice", and expressed confidence that, with joint efforts, the Summit will be a great success.
According to official figures from Beijing, trade between China and Central Asian countries reached $70 billion in 2022 and increased by 22% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023.
China - the world's second-largest energy consumer - has invested billions of dollars in natural gas fields in Central Asia, while a rail network has connected China to the region.
Experts predict that at this conference, the parties will try to reach agreements to further expand the vast network, including a $6 billion railway connecting China with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan and expanding the gas pipeline from Central Asia to China.
A media event will be held on the morning of May 19, with the participation of all six leaders and a joint statement is likely to be issued.
Ahead of the summit, the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan held their first bilateral talks with the Chinese president.
At the meetings, Mr. Xi Jinping emphasized that Beijing is willing to enhance the level of cooperation in many areas on the basis of long-term friendship, solidarity and mutual benefit, and develop comprehensive cooperation to contribute to China's common growth with neighboring countries.
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