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
