Ahead of the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, a panel of experts and policymakers outlined a vision for enhanced regional cooperation amid rising global protectionism and geopolitical uncertainty. In a special edition of Voices from the Global South, leading thinkers from China, Central Asia, and South Asia discussed how China and Central Asian countries can strengthen connectivity, ensure regional stability, and move toward a greener future.
Kazakh Ambassador to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin opened the program with an overview of the summit’s evolution and strategic significance. He said the region, moving from being “inner” to “connected,” is focusing on ensuring that infrastructure projects are functional, efficient, and safe.
Javlon Vakhabov, a former Uzbek ambassador to the United States, stressed the importance of regional security frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), headquartered in Tashkent. “We work closely with SCO members to combat terrorism, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling,” he said, emphasizing the inextricable link between security and sustainable development.
Green development was a central theme throughout the discussion. Professor Odilkhoja Parpiev from the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan shared impressive results of agricultural technology trials in collaboration with Chinese partners. “Using Chinese greenhouse film has reduced irrigation water consumption by 30 percent and increased crop yields by 40 percent,” he said. The Uzbek side is currently exploring the possibility of locally producing nanoparticles for export. Parpiev called for greater investment in localized and affordable innovations adapted to specific climate conditions, instead of expensive imports.
Parpiev also spoke about Uzbekistan’s leadership in solar research, noting the country’s high-temperature solar furnaces. “We are developing green hydrogen and smart nanomaterials that can revolutionize agriculture and food security,” he explained, calling for more scientific cooperation with China and neighboring countries.
Haroon Sharif, Pakistan’s former Minister of Investment, supported the need for practical multilateral solutions. “Connectivity is just the first step. For it to succeed, ports need to be efficient, secure and managed as multinational joint ventures,” he said. He stressed the importance of overcoming security perception issues through joint ownership and risk sharing.
Drawing on his experience working on the CASA-1000 grid project, Sharif urged partners to embrace new, low-cost energy technologies instead of outdated models. “It’s time to move beyond bilateral agreements. We need regional investment councils, private-sector partnerships and knowledge sharing that will enable us to grow as a single market,” he said, calling on the region to think together and tap into its shared demographic potential – 700-800 million people with a median age of under 30.
Professor Li Xiguang of Tsinghua University described the ties between China and Central Asia as deeply rooted in shared heritage and geography. He called for a broader integration approach that includes Afghanistan, Pakistan and China’s western provinces. “Greater Central Asia is a single civilizational space linked by the Pamirs and Tien Shan,” he said.
Li stressed the importance of people-to-people connections. “I bring students to Central Asia every year. Academic exchanges help create an emotional foundation for regional unity,” he said. Responding to President Xi Jinping’s recent remarks on neighborhood diplomacy, Li outlined China’s “five houses” approach — the houses of peace, tranquility, prosperity, beauty and friendship — as a model of Asian values and mutual respect.
Moderator Mushahid Hussain Said summed up the experts’ overall findings: connectivity must be inclusive, security must be shared, and development must be environmentally sustainable. Ahead of the opening of the Astana summit, the Voices of the Global South dialogue proposed a roadmap for transforming Central Asia from a transit zone into a vibrant hub of economic, environmental, and human development.
Translated with AI
Ahead of the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, a panel of experts and policymakers outlined a vision for enhanced regional cooperation amid rising global protectionism and geopolitical uncertainty. In a special edition of Voices from the Global South, leading thinkers from China, Central Asia, and South Asia discussed how China and Central Asian countries can strengthen connectivity, ensure regional stability, and move toward a greener future.
Kazakh Ambassador to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin opened the program with an overview of the summit’s evolution and strategic significance. He said the region, moving from being “inner” to “connected,” is focusing on ensuring that infrastructure projects are functional, efficient, and safe.
Javlon Vakhabov, a former Uzbek ambassador to the United States, stressed the importance of regional security frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), headquartered in Tashkent. “We work closely with SCO members to combat terrorism, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling,” he said, emphasizing the inextricable link between security and sustainable development.
Green development was a central theme throughout the discussion. Professor Odilkhoja Parpiev from the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan shared impressive results of agricultural technology trials in collaboration with Chinese partners. “Using Chinese greenhouse film has reduced irrigation water consumption by 30 percent and increased crop yields by 40 percent,” he said. The Uzbek side is currently exploring the possibility of locally producing nanoparticles for export. Parpiev called for greater investment in localized and affordable innovations adapted to specific climate conditions, instead of expensive imports.
Parpiev also spoke about Uzbekistan’s leadership in solar research, noting the country’s high-temperature solar furnaces. “We are developing green hydrogen and smart nanomaterials that can revolutionize agriculture and food security,” he explained, calling for more scientific cooperation with China and neighboring countries.
Haroon Sharif, Pakistan’s former Minister of Investment, supported the need for practical multilateral solutions. “Connectivity is just the first step. For it to succeed, ports need to be efficient, secure and managed as multinational joint ventures,” he said. He stressed the importance of overcoming security perception issues through joint ownership and risk sharing.
Drawing on his experience working on the CASA-1000 grid project, Sharif urged partners to embrace new, low-cost energy technologies instead of outdated models. “It’s time to move beyond bilateral agreements. We need regional investment councils, private-sector partnerships and knowledge sharing that will enable us to grow as a single market,” he said, calling on the region to think together and tap into its shared demographic potential – 700-800 million people with a median age of under 30.
Professor Li Xiguang of Tsinghua University described the ties between China and Central Asia as deeply rooted in shared heritage and geography. He called for a broader integration approach that includes Afghanistan, Pakistan and China’s western provinces. “Greater Central Asia is a single civilizational space linked by the Pamirs and Tien Shan,” he said.
Li stressed the importance of people-to-people connections. “I bring students to Central Asia every year. Academic exchanges help create an emotional foundation for regional unity,” he said. Responding to President Xi Jinping’s recent remarks on neighborhood diplomacy, Li outlined China’s “five houses” approach — the houses of peace, tranquility, prosperity, beauty and friendship — as a model of Asian values and mutual respect.
Moderator Mushahid Hussain Said summed up the experts’ overall findings: connectivity must be inclusive, security must be shared, and development must be environmentally sustainable. Ahead of the opening of the Astana summit, the Voices of the Global South dialogue proposed a roadmap for transforming Central Asia from a transit zone into a vibrant hub of economic, environmental, and human development.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-06-16/Can-China-and-Central-Asia-shape-stability-in-a-turbulent-world–1EfcbPnAEYE/p.html