First China-Central Asia Summit

May 9, 2023

Chinese President Xi Jinping will be hosting a summit with the leaders of five Central Asian nations next week. This is part of China’s plan to increase its influence in the region. The summit is named China-Central Asia Summit and is set to take place in Xi’an, the first of its kind since formal relations were established 31 years ago. The leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are expected to attend the two-day summit from May 18 to 19, with a focus on strengthening economic and diplomatic ties with Beijing.

Investment in Central Asia

China has invested billions of dollars in Central Asia to tap into natural gas reserves. Rail links connecting China to Europe criss-cross the region and are vital to the success of Mr. Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative, a trillion-dollar global infrastructure project aimed at strengthening trade and infrastructure ties between China and other countries, primarily in Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Agenda for the Summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to deliver a keynote speech during the summit, and the leaders would sign “important political documents.” They will also review the development of China-Central Asia relations, exchange views on China-Central Asia cooperation in various fields, and discuss major international and regional issues of common concern.

Russia’s Influence in the Region

Central Asian nations, formerly part of the Soviet Union, have been under Moscow’s influence for over a century. Nonetheless, Russia’s power has been challenged since its incursion into Ukraine, and Beijing has been approaching traditional Moscow allies in the region.

Growing Exports to Central Asia

China’s exports to Central Asia grew 60% year-on-year to $1.4 billion in 2022, according to data released by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce last month. Despite accusations of human rights violations by Beijing targeting Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, countries that border China’s northwestern region have remained quiet, including Kazakhstan.

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