On the first anniversary of the signing of the "Action Plan for High-Quality Belt and Road Cooperation between China and Central Asian Countries," a coordination meeting on the implementation of the China-Central Asia Belt and Road Action Plan was held in Beijing on July 2. Representatives from relevant Chinese departments and officials from the embassies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan gathered to comprehensively review the implementation achievements over the past year and exchange in-depth views on the key areas and pathways for cooperation in the next stage.

2025-2026 has been designated as the "Year of High-Quality Development of China-Central Asia Cooperation." An official from the Regional Opening-up Department of the National Development and Reform Commission pointed out at the meeting that in the past year, all parties, with high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as the main theme, have promoted robust growth in trade and investment, steady implementation of major projects, and continuous deepening of connectivity. The key cooperation items identified in the Action Plan have been fully implemented.

Impressive data vividly illustrates the cooperation: In 2025, the trade volume of goods between China and the five Central Asian countries exceeded US$100 billion for the first time, setting a new historical record; the number of China-Europe (Central Asia) freight trains transiting through Central Asian countries reached a new peak; the China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline has maintained safe and stable operation; the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway has commenced construction along its entire length; and the third cross-border railway between China and Kazakhstan is also progressing rapidly.

Representatives from the five Central Asian countries highly praised the pragmatic achievements under the Belt and Road Initiative framework over the past year, unanimously agreeing that the scope of cooperation has continuously expanded and the level has been continuously improved. They expressed their expectation to further deepen cooperation with China in areas such as connectivity, trade and investment, energy cooperation, modern agriculture, technological innovation, and cultural exchanges, jointly promoting the implementation of more projects benefiting the people. Keywords: Belt and Road Initiative, Central Asia cooperation, trade exceeding 100 billion, connectivity, China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, implementation of action plan

In June 2025, during the second China-Central Asia Summit, Chinese leaders and the heads of state of the five Central Asian countries jointly witnessed the signing of the Action Plan. This is the first time that China has signed a cooperation document on jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative with all countries in a single region, marking a new stage of institutionalization and high-quality development in the construction of the China-Central Asia community with a shared future. This coordination meeting on the first anniversary was not only a solid review of the phased achievements, but also a rallying cry for the next stage of in-depth advancement—the road of cooperation will become wider and wider, and the flower of friendship will bloom more and more brilliantly. Editor/Sunyaxin