Central Asia and China sign landmark treaty on eternal friendship and cooperation

The Uzbek leader stressed the importance of introducing effective financial instruments to support large-scale regional projects.

“Today’s international mechanisms undoubtedly play an important role, but they do not fully meet the region’s investment needs. According to expert estimates, the infrastructure investment gap in Central Asia is projected to reach several hundred billion dollars,” he noted.

In this context, he proposed considering the establishment of a “Central Asia–China” Development Fund as a practical platform to advance infrastructure initiatives.

Enhancing transport connectivity between Central Asia and China was named another key priority.

The ongoing construction of the “China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan” railway was highlighted as a vital component of the emerging transport and transit network across Eurasia. At the same time, the implementation of the Trans-Afghan Railway project could open even broader opportunities.

“We should instruct our transport agencies to conduct field studies, explore logistics infrastructure modernization, and implement pilot projects for cargo transportation via alternative corridors. For this, we need to form expert groups,” the president suggested.

Addressing the threats posed by climate change to sustainable development, the president proposed accelerating the adoption of the “Green” Development Program until 2030. He also called for the creation of an Environmental Alliance to foster dialogue and cooperation on combating desertification, restoring degraded lands, and enhancing bio-ecological sustainability in arid and desert regions.

“I would also like to highlight opportunities for cooperation in artificial intelligence and digital technologies. These are key drivers of long-term growth and competitiveness in our national economies today,” the president stated.

To create a resilient digital infrastructure for economic cooperation, he proposed establishing integrated data processing centers and banking networks, along with laying a digital corridor for the Central Asia–China fiber-optic communication line across major energy and transport routes.

“Our peoples' shared aspiration to enrich and bring closer their cultures is our invaluable treasure. The newly adopted initiative on easing mutual visits and the cultural-humanitarian program aim precisely at fostering these ties,” the president said.

To strengthen this cooperation further, he proposed creating a unified digital portal titled “Silk Road Cultural Heritage,” which would integrate the historical and cultural assets of Central Asia and China and be accessible to researchers, students, tourists, and representatives of the creative industries.

He also emphasized the importance of developing a joint scientific and educational platform through a vocational education cooperation program, forums of university rectors, and meetings of academy heads and research centers.

Security cooperation remains one of the top priorities. In this regard, the president highlighted the importance of establishing multilateral information-sharing mechanisms among intelligence services and security councils to counter terrorism, extremism, radicalism, drug trafficking, illegal migration, and cybercrime.

“We are deeply concerned about the declining attention of the international community to the problems of Afghanistan, which is not only our neighbor but an integral part of our shared historical, cultural, and economic space,” the Uzbek president stated.

Referring to the accumulated experience of cooperation between China and Central Asian states with Afghanistan, he proposed the creation of a high-level group to assist in the country's reconstruction and integration into regional processes. Uzbekistan expressed readiness to host this meeting in the city of Termez with the participation of Afghan representatives.

In conclusion, President Mirziyoyev reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s support for open dialogue and pragmatic, mutually beneficial cooperation within the “Central Asia–China” framework.

At the end of the summit, the heads of state signed the Astana Declaration and the Treaty of Eternal Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation.

A substantial package of intergovernmental and interagency documents was also adopted.

The summit concluded with the launch of platforms for cooperation in poverty reduction, combating desertification, education, and barrier-free trade.