The Belt and Road Initiative, launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping 13 years ago, has evolved into an open and inclusive platform for international cooperation. With over 150 countries and 30 international organisations signing cooperation documents, it has become a widely welcomed global public good. The BRI aims to promote modernisation and mutual learning among civilisations through connectivity of facilities and people-to-people exchanges.
The BRI has transformed Central Asia, a region previously hindered by inconvenient transportation due to its landlocked location. The China-Europe Railway Express and Central Asia Railway Express trains now shuttle back and forth, turning the region into a hub connecting the East and the West. This has brought opportunities and confidence leading to modernisation, with industrial parks and livelihood projects allowing ordinary people to share the dividends of development.
Think tanks play a crucial role in jointly building the Belt and Road, serving as advisers on policies, suppliers of ideas, and bridge builders for people-to-people connectivity. Through joint research, objective reports, and candid dialogues, think tanks can facilitate better regional cooperation projects, change perceptions, and resolve estrangement. The role of think tanks and media is irreplaceable in moving the joint construction of the Belt and Road forward.
The China-Central Asia Format, established six years ago, has yielded substantial outcomes across various fields. Within this framework, China and Central Asian countries have established 14 ministerial-level cooperation platforms covering areas such as economy and trade, transportation, agriculture, energy, and education. The Secretariat, located in Xi'an, has been operational since April 2025, and several centers and platforms have been set up.
The China-Central Asia Format has led to significant economic progress, with trade volume between China and the five Central Asian countries exceeding $100 billion for the first time in 2025. The trade structure has continued to optimise, with a rising proportion of mechanical and electrical products and high-tech products. The construction of the Kyrgyzstan section of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is also being accelerated.
People-to-people exchanges between China and Central Asian countries are making solid progress. China-Kazakhstan and China-Uzbekistan mutual visa exemption has been realised, and the Xi'an-Almaty people-to-people passenger train operates regularly. Youth training, language teaching, and sister city exchanges continue to deepen, fostering stronger cooperation and mutual understanding among the countries.
The success of the China-Central Asia Format can be attributed to the principles of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual appreciation, mutual benefit and win-win results, equality and transparency, and mutual respect. As the permanent organ of the China-Central Asia Mechanism, the Secretariat is committed to promoting stronger cooperation among think tanks, media, and universities in China and beyond.
Key points
- The Belt and Road Initiative has become a platform for international cooperation, fostering modernisation and mutual learning among civilisations.
