Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance at the second China-Central Asia Summit in the Kazakh capital of Astana renewed traditional friendship and drew a blueprint for development with heads of state of the five Central Asian countries, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while briefing reporters at the conclusion of Xi's trip.
In Astana, Xi and the Central Asian leaders discussed cooperation plans and achieved more than 100 cooperation outcomes, Wang said.
Wang noted that the most prominent highlight of this summit is Xi's announcement of the China-Central Asia Spirit.
"One of the biggest highlights is the introduction of the China-Central Asia Spirit, a concept we jointly developed with the five Central Asian countries. It embodies mutual trust, mutual respect, mutual benefit, and mutual assistance. Through high-quality development, we aim to promote shared modernization. This spirit has received unanimous support from all five countries. It serves as the very soul of China-Central Asia cooperation. With this soul in place, we have a shared ideological foundation and common values, making it easier to overcome practical challenges and reach consensus," Wang said.
He also highlighted the signing of a treaty on eternal good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation by the heads of state of the six countries, which shows a high level of mutual trust between China and Central Asian countries.
"The most important outcome of this summit is the signing of the treaty on eternal good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation. First of all, it is a legally binding treaty, which solidifies China's ties with the five Central Asian countries in a formal and lasting way. Its title — eternal good-neighborliness and friendship — shows that this is not a short-term arrangement, but a long-term commitment. It demonstrates the high level of trust five Central Asian countries place in China, and their willingness to align their future development more closely with China," he said.
During the summit, China and Central Asian countries reached a series of new cooperation initiatives in areas including subnational cooperation, personnel exchanges, educational exchanges and cultural tourism, among others, he said.
The heads of state of the six countries witnessed the signing of several sister city agreements, bringing the pairings of sister cities between China and the five Central Asian countries to more than 100, and fulfilling the goal of an initiative proposed by Xi three years ago, Wang added.
Xi's attendance at 2nd China-Central Asia Summit renews friendship, charts course for development: Chinese FM
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
