The ancestors of the peoples currently living in Central Asia established contacts with the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire in ancient times, when they lived, according to one of the scientific hypotheses, next to each other.

In ancient times, the process of the Great Migration of the Turks from their ancestral homeland, Altai, began. Our common ancestors, migrating to the southwest, developed new lands - Parthia, Margiana, Sogdiana and Khorezm. But this did not disrupt their relationship with the Chinese - the Great Silk Road continued to connect the peoples of the two macro-regions with strong trade ties.

The dynastic chronicles record that in 138 BC by order of Emperor Wu-di, the first caravan was sent to hitherto unknown lands located to the west of Zhongguo - that's how the Chinese empire was called in the ancient period. It was the so-called ambassadorial caravan.

A decade and a half later - in 121 BC - another caravan set out on the route. This time it was a trade caravan. It was carrying silks, bronze mirrors and other curiosities from distant places, from where the Sun rose, to the Fergana Valley. Our common ancestors worshiped it until they adopted Islam.

However, throughout the long history of contacts, each of the Central Asian peoples interacted independently with the Celestial Empire. In Turkmen Merv, for example, Chinese merchants were interested in Akhal-Teke horses and the seeds of their favorite food - alfalfa.

By the way, Akhal-Teke horses were deified in the Celestial Empire, called "heavenly" and "winged" horses. According to Chinese belief, the Gods lived on Mount Kunlun. And the emperor, in order to achieve immortality, had to ascend there in a harness of unearthly horses, in which the Chinese saw Akhal-Teke horses...

From Uzbek Samarkand, the famous local glass was exported along the Great Silk Road, which the masters of the Celestial Empire used to make jewelry, elegant dishes, luxury items, etc. In Central Asia, Chinese traders exchanged rolls of silk for grapes (which were previously unavailable in China), local spices (pepper, cloves), honey, medicinal plants, etc.

In other words, trade relations were built with each nation on a differentiated basis based on goods, the production of which was inherent to it, taking into account national traditions, natural conditions and materials. But throughout history, there have been no cases of complex and mutually agreed cooperation between two civilizations - Central Asia with its powerful neighbor.

The situation changed when our peoples, despite all the vagaries of fate, managed to live to the era that learned men will call "modern history". And as always - new times have given rise to new approaches. Already in our days, the mechanism of six-way interaction between the two large regions "CA - China" has been launched. And this event took place in Chinese Xi'an in May 2023, opening a new chapter in regional politics and economics.

New Format – from Xi'an to Astana

Experts called the first summit of the heads of state of Central Asia and China "historic". It really turned out to be so, becoming a catalyst for the comprehensive development of cooperation between the countries of Central Asia, on the one hand, and giant China, on the other.

The overall statistics are incomparable. The largest state in Asia exceeds Central Asia in area by almost two and a half times. And this is directly proportional to the natural potential, resource and economic opportunities. And ultimately, to geopolitical influence.

But at the same time, Central Asia, despite significantly lower indicators, also plays an important role in regional politics and economics due to its strategic position and not yet fully explored "natural reserves", which are quite rightly called "wealth".

If the new CA-PRC format was first created and tested in Xi'an, the second summit in Astana in 2025 not only strengthened cooperation between the Central Asian countries and China, but also demonstrated the readiness of both regions to further deepen multilateral relations. Moreover, it confirmed the transition to a qualitatively new level of political, economic and cultural interaction.

The long-term plans include the launch of major infrastructure projects, expansion of trade and economic ties, preparation of a strategy until 2030, etc.

In the context of an unstable international situation, global disruptions and increasing fragmentation of the world system, this dialogue has demonstrated growing attractiveness as a regional vector of stability, pragmatism and mutual respect.

The participation in both summits of the heads of all five Central Asian states and the Chairman of the PRC gave symbolic and practical weight, making them key regional events of the year.

What factors gave grounds to come to such conclusions?

Political Architecture of Trust – from Symbolism to Concreteness

From the very beginning, the business tone of the Astana meeting was set by the head of the PRC Xi Jinping, who once again confirmed that cooperation with neighboring countries is a strategic priority of Chinese diplomacy. His words about the need to “strengthen good-neighborliness, mutual trust and alignment of strategies” set the vector for the entire agenda.

Of course, the “CA – China” format has visibly strengthened its position as an institutionalized mechanism for strategic dialogue with the formation of the Secretariat (currently headed by former PRC Ambassador to Turkmenistan Sun Weidong) and the expansion of coordination at the level of foreign policy agencies. In the two years since the summit in Xi’an, trade turnover between the Central Asian countries and China has reached $95 billion. 58 agreements worth about $25 billion have been signed.

The high-level meeting was marked by the signing of the Astana Declaration, the Treaty of Eternal Friendship, Good-Neighborliness and Cooperation, 24 intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents, including on simplification of exchanges, stimulation of trade, expansion of logistics links, as well as on cooperation in science, technology and education.

Amid international instability, the "CA - China" format has become an example of constructive dialogue based on trust and equality - without external pressure.

President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov especially noted:

"Our cooperation has a constructive impact on the entire geopolitical landscape in Asia, contributing to the creation of prerequisites for sustainable and long-term peace."

Systematized Philosophy of Partnership

The central place on the agenda was occupied by the concept of “High-Quality Development”, proposed by Xi Jinping as a new paradigm of interaction. This term, repeatedly emphasized by the Chinese leader, became one of the key concepts of the summit. It means the transition from quantitative indicators to sustainable, innovative and technologically oriented cooperation, as well as environmentally responsible growth.

This desire for detail and classification is a characteristic feature of Chinese culture. It goes back to the Confucian tradition as the basis of Chinese philosophy, which attaches great importance to order, hierarchy and structure.

During the Astana meeting, this was manifested in Xi Jinping's approach to building a number of terms and closely related concepts, which also enter into systemic relationships with other terms. And so a coherent block of interconnected and complementary ideas is formed.

One of these key concepts of the summit was the "Central Asia-China Spirit" proclaimed by the Chinese leader, which is based on four principles: Mutual respect; Friendship and good neighborliness; Mutually beneficial development; Solidarity and openness.

This spirit sets the framework for a strategic dialogue in which there is no place for geopolitical pressure, bloc thinking and rivalry. Instead, space is created for equal and multifaceted interaction. And the conclusion:

"This spirit is the foundation of cooperation for many generations. We must carefully preserve and increase it."

Contribution of Turkmenistan - Energy, Logistics, Neutrality

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov included a systemic package of initiatives in the agenda of the Astana summit. One of them is the development of a Global Security Strategy under the auspices of the UN, as well as a proposal to initiate consultations on this conceptual doctrine.

The head of state confirmed Turkmenistan's readiness to deepen mutually beneficial partnership in the development of transport and logistics corridors, organically combining the Turkmen and Chinese concepts, respect for sovereignty and equal cooperation:

"The integration of the "Revival of the Great Silk Road" strategy with the "One Belt, One Road" initiative promotes convergence and the use of national capabilities in the common interests."

The head of state paid special attention to innovation issues, proposing to launch joint projects in the field of artificial intelligence, digitalization, space research, as well as to create a regional technology market.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov proposed expanding contacts in the energy sector, including diversification of Turkmen gas and electricity supplies, as well as the formation of a new cultural platform.

In this context, we recall Xi Jinping's statement "the rapprochement of peoples is the key to the sustainability of political decisions," which is in line with the Turkmen leader's initiative to create a "Cultural Dialogue of Central Asia and China":

"High spirituality, great centuries-old culture, true values - all this constitutes an unshakable foundation of the historical and current closeness of our peoples."

And good-neighborliness diplomacy, which in the context of global tension, being an alternative to confrontational models of international politics, is aimed at finding balance and sustainable development:

“Turkmenistan’s firm and unwavering commitment to the closest interaction in the “CA – China” format is based on the conviction in the enormous opportunities that it opens up in the matter of joint development, peace and prosperity.”

The Future of the Region – Continuation of Strategic Rapprochement

The forecast for cooperation between Central Asia and China for 2025–2030 promises significant progress in economic integration, infrastructure projects, and humanitarian cooperation.

Economy. Trade turnover between the Central Asian region and China may well grow to the projected 120–150 billion by 2030. Given previous figures and the growth of trade turnover over the past two years by +35%, this forecast has real grounds to come true.

Infrastructure. The planned completion of projects on the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway (scheduled for completion in 2027), the development of Caspian ports, and the creation of logistics hubs will significantly strengthen transport connectivity, becoming another link in the 21st century Silk Road.

Energy. Partnership in this area includes increasing gas and oil supplies from Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, as well as investments in solar and wind power plants.

Technologies. Technological cooperation covers the creation of technology parks, the introduction of artificial intelligence and training of personnel through programs similar to Lu Ban's workshop, which have already appeared and are successfully operating in Central Asia.

Humanitarian sphere. It is planned to increase quotas on the part of China for students from Central Asia, develop cultural exchange and tourism, including medical tourism, which will further strengthen mutual understanding and bring peoples closer together.

Security remains a key area - through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, China and the Central Asian countries will strengthen the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and cybercrime. And this will strengthen stability in the region as a whole.

…The summits in Xi'an and Astana showed that Central Asia and China are forming a new type of international relations based on mutual respect and pragmatism, equality and strategic calculation, cultural closeness and common interest in sustainable development.

This format is not opposed to other integration initiatives, but complements them – strengthening the role of Central Asia as a link between the East and West of Eurasia.

And it is time to recognize that the partnership "CA-China" is not just a regional platform, but already an important element of the architecture of a sustainable world in the 21st century.

Bekdurdy AMANSARYEV,

Center for Strategic Studies of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan