By Suelle Findlay-Williams in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China

PRESIDENT of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, has said that China and Central Asia have committed to supporting each other in areas of mutual interest, such as sovereignty, independence, security and territorial integrity.

The Head of State was, at the time, addressing journalists at a closing press conference at the Xi’an International Convention Centre following a two-day China-Central Asia Summit.

President Xi said that China and the Central Asian nations – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, have also committed to respecting “the development path chosen based on each other’s national conditions, and firmly oppose interference in internal affairs by any force or under any pretext.”

He said that “Central Asian countries fully recognise the significance of the Chinese path to modernisation for the world’s development” and have also reiterated their firm commitment to the One-China principle.

At the summit, the countries signed the Xi’an Declaration of the China-Central Asia Summit, agreed on a list of outcomes, and created a plan for the future development of China-Central Asia relations.

According to President Xi, efforts will be made to build better synergy among development strategies and promote trade liberalisation. Through the Belt and Road Initiative, the countries have agreed to expand industrial and investment cooperation, further develop transport corridors connecting China and Central Asia, support the establishment of a China-Central Asia energy development partnership, and ensure- food security in the region.

“Together, we will foster a new cooperation paradigm featuring high-level complementarity and mutual benefit.”

To this end, Xi noted that the six countries will strengthen their relationships in various areas, including sport, archaeology, tourism, education, training, and healthcare, with a focus on promoting people-to-people connections.

He also stated that “the six countries will resolutely combat all forms of terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as drug trafficking and transnational organised crimes.”

President Xi affirmed China’s commitment to supporting the Afghan people in maintaining security, stability, and achieving peace and reconstruction. Furthermore, the group has agreed to enhance collaboration in areas such as bio-security, cyber-security, and disaster relief.

“All sides have expressed support for and readiness to operationalise the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, recognising their significance for world peace and development and for progress of human civilisation,” President Xi added.

President Xi Jinping was joined by President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev; President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov; President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon; President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov; and President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

This is the first time that the China-Central Asia Summit was held in-person. The next summit which is slated for 2025, will be hosted by the Government of Kazakhstan.