International Online Special: From May 18th to 19th, 2023, China-Central Asia Summit was held in Xi ‘an, Shaanxi Province. During the summit, the Supreme Leader of president, China and the heads of five Central Asian countries signed the Xi ‘an Declaration of the China-Central Asia Summit and adopted the List of Achievements of the China-Central Asia Summit. The international community spoke highly of the constructive achievements of this summit. Many foreign media reports pointed out that the summit was a milestone in promoting the diversified economic development in Central Asia, and it also showed China’s increasing international influence.
Associated Press report screenshot
APThe website reported on May 19th that cooperation between China and Central Asian countries has been deepening under the framework of the "One Belt, One Road" initiative. China is the second largest economy in the world, and Central Asian countries regard China as an important market and investment source. The China-Central Asia Summit highlights China’s growing influence in Central Asia.
Screenshot of Reuters Report, UK
British ReutersThe website commented that on 19th, the Supreme Leader of president, China put forward suggestions on cooperation and exchanges between China and five Central Asian countries, and announced grand development plans from deepening interconnection to expanding economic and trade relations, so as to comprehensively help Central Asian countries enhance their development capabilities.
The report emphasizes that as China’s friendly neighbors, the five Central Asian countries have shown high trust in China. Xi ‘an, an ancient capital with a long history, is the starting point of China’s ancient Silk Road. The two-day China-Central Asia Summit held here is regarded as China’s diplomatic victory in Central Asia. The leaders of the five Central Asian countries had previously expressed their support for China and hoped to deepen cooperation with China.
Thailand’s "Bangkok Post" report screenshot
Bangkok Post of ThailandThe website reported on May 19th that Central Asia is of great strategic significance geographically and is a key partner for China to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative. This China-Central Asia Summit is a milestone. In order to continue the traditional friendship, the six heads of state agreed that the next summit will be held in Kazakhstan in 2025.
Qatar Al Jazeera report screenshot
Qatar Al JazeeraThe website reported on the 18th that the China-Central Asia Summit was held in Xi ‘an, China. The two-day summit was hosted by the Supreme Leader of president, China, and the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were invited to participate. All five Central Asian countries are important participants in the Belt and Road Initiative. The report pointed out that the summit is an opportunity for Central Asia to achieve diversified economic development.
Sputnik news agency & radioNikita Maslennikov, an expert from Russian Political and Technical Center, was quoted as saying that the interest of Central Asian countries in China’s steadily growing trade market is increasing, and this summit will provide new impetus for the development of bilateral trade.
French 24-hour TV stationAccording to a report published on the website, this meeting is the first time that China and five Central Asian countries have held a summit in the form of entity since they established diplomatic relations 31 years ago. According to the report, the railway connecting China and Europe has formed a crisscross network, and the summit is expected to reach an agreement to further expand the railway network between China and Europe, including the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and the expansion of the China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline.
Radio Free Europe, USAThe website reported that Kazakh President Tokayev was the first Central Asian head of state to arrive in Xi ‘an, and May 17th was Tokayev’s 70th birthday. Kazakhstan and China issued a joint statement reaffirming that bilateral relations are "unbreakable". (Shi Hezhen, Lu Qianyuan, Wang Luping)