Xi Jinping to Attend the 2nd “China–Central Asia” Summit in Kazakhstan

From June 16 to 18, 2025, at the invitation of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Astana to coincide with the second "China–Central Asia" summit. This visit carries both symbolic and practical significance for the entire Central Asian region. Its outcomes may influence the balance of economic and geopolitical forces across Eurasia and strengthen economic cooperation between Central Asian countries and China against the backdrop of a global rethinking of logistics and trade routes.
It is important to note that Xi Jinping's visit to Kazakhstan takes place amid growing competition among global powers for influence in Central Asia. The active development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Central Asia plays a vital role in the region's economic growth by creating new opportunities for investment, infrastructure improvement, enhanced regional connectivity, and expanded export markets, contributing to sustainable development and strengthening Central Asia's position in the global economy.
Astana, as the capital of Kazakhstan—the region's largest and most economically developed country—is a natural venue for showcasing China's economic initiatives and reaffirming Beijing's priorities regarding the Silk Road regions.
Beijing seeks to institutionalize the "China + 5" format (all Central Asian countries) as a stable mechanism for regional cooperation. The summit will allow China to emphasize the region's importance within the BRI framework and express its interest in supporting regional stability and sovereignty—an issue of great relevance for all Central Asian countries, which must jointly confront the "three evils": terrorism, extremism, and separatism. China aims to play a greater role in ensuring regional security, and accordingly, agreements are expected to be signed on cybersecurity and intelligence sharing.
Following the first summit—which prioritized infrastructure development—it is expected that the second summit will also result in the signing of numerous bilateral and multilateral agreements (covering railways, highways, and logistics hubs), as well as investments in industry, particularly raw material processing and high-tech sectors. Considering China's commitment to developing green energy, this summit may also mark the beginning of a new phase of multilateral cooperation in the energy sector.
Western countries remain cautious about the deepening economic ties between China and Central Asian nations, especially in light of the active implementation of the EU's "Global Gateway" and the U.S.'s "Build Back Better World" (B3W) initiatives in the region.
The Astana summit will be a key diplomatic event in Eurasia in 2025. China will continue to consolidate its mutually beneficial economic presence in Central Asia by offering the region-specific tools for economic growth, logistical transformation, and financial support. "China–Central Asia" relations are entering a new phase of institutionalization, and the expected agreements and initiatives will influence the further redistribution of spheres of influence across Eurasia.
Elbrus Mamedov

SR-CENTER.INFO