Officials from China, Central Asia discuss governance, cultural exchanges

Officials and experts from China and Central Asian countries gathered Friday in Astana, Kazakhstan to discuss governance, cultural exchanges and humanitarian cooperation.

More than 260 participants from China and five Central Asian countries -- Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan -- exchanged views on the common approaches to progressing modernization and deepening regional cooperation.

The senior officials and experts explored how to enhance cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, support each other in following development paths in line with their national conditions, promote the establishment of a fairer and more reasonable international order, and strengthen international cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Experts highlighted the importance of promoting humanitarian integration to facilitate cooperation in various other fields.

"We must remember that all economic, technical, and transport projects are done by people. Therefore, when we talk about humanitarian cooperation, nothing will grow without this field. Behind any technology, calculations, or investment there are people," said Adil Kaukenov, director of the Kazakhstan Center for Chinese Studies.

The participants said that this event further strengthened the exchange of governance experience between China and Central Asian countries and injected new impetus into deepening practical cooperation in various fields, allowing for the joint promotion of modernization and the building of a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

"We have very close contact with our Chinese colleagues. Four laboratories and international centers have been created based on the National Academy of Sciences with the help of our Chinese partners. I would say our work in this direction is very active," said Mamurdzhon Mirvaisov, head of the Department of International Scientific Relations of Tajikistan

"Party cooperation is now at a new level and also contributes to economic, humanitarian and cultural development. Within the framework of the memorandum signed with the Communist Party of China, young politicians can exchange views on technology, business, and education," said Daulet Karibek, executive secretary of Kazakhstan's AMANAT Party.

The event came ahead of the Central Asia-China Summit, scheduled for June in Astana.

Officials from China, Central Asia discuss governance, cultural exchanges

The White House Office of Management and Budget released its 2027 budget proposal on Friday, which would raise U.S. defense spending to 1.5 trillion U.S. dollars while reducing funding for domestic programs.

The budget plan "builds on the president's vision by continuing to constrain non-defense spending and reform the federal government," according to a document published on the White House website.

At a White House event on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted the defense spending as a priority, noting that domestic responsibilities such as health care should be shifted to the states.

"We're fighting wars. We can't take care of day care. You got to let a state take care of day care, and they should pay for it, too," Trump said.

Aside from cuts to health programs, the White House budget proposal also includes cuts to refugee resettlement aid, renewable energy projects, university grants and housing programs, among others.

The president's annual budget is often seen as a reflection of the administration's priorities, though Congress ultimately holds the authority over federal spending.

The release of the White House 2027 budget proposal came as Congress remains deadlocked over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, with Democrats pushing for immigration enforcement reforms that Republicans refuse to accept. This led to a partial government shutdown that has stretched on for nearly seven weeks.

White House seeks 1.5 trillion USD in defense spending in 2027 budget proposal