Leaders Gather in Astana for China–Central Asia Summit

The China–Central Asia summit is underway in Astana, with heads of state from across the region arriving in Kazakhstan’s capital, Orda.kz reports.

Chinese President Xi Jinping was among the first to arrive, landing in Astana on his birthday. He held bilateral talks with President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev, and both sides expressed satisfaction with the agreements reached.

On the evening of June 16, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon arrived ahead of the summit, scheduled for June 17. Trade between Kazakhstan and Tajikistan rose by 5.9% in the first four months of the year, reaching $394 million.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov arrived on the morning of June 17. Since the beginning of the year, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan increased by 25.2%, amounting to $435.1 million.

Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow also arrived in Astana. In 2024, bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan totaled $555.7 million.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev followed. Trade between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan reached $4.1 billion in 2024, making Uzbekistan one of Kazakhstan’s most significant economic partners in Central Asia.

Original Author: Artyom Volkov