From camel trails to cargo lanes: Xi's vision for a China-Central Asia future

BEIJING -- "Start the shipment!" With this command, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev jointly launched the China-Europe Trans-Caspian Express Route at a ceremony held in July 2024 in Astana.

The occasion marked the formal establishment of a multidimensional connectivity network, integrating highways, railways, airlines and pipelines, to better link Asia with Europe via the Caspian Sea. It is expected to become a vibrant artery of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

While the ancient Silk Road witnessed robust trade and cultural exchanges between China and Central Asia, Xi sees in the region an important partner in modern-day Belt and Road cooperation.

Back in September 2013, also in Astana, Xi delivered a landmark speech at Nazarbayev University, where he first laid out his vision for building the Silk Road Economic Belt -- a key component of the BRI.

"We can actively discuss the best way to improve cross-border transportation infrastructure," Xi said, "and work toward a transportation network connecting East Asia, West Asia and South Asia to facilitate economic development and travel in the region."

Over the years since then, that vision has steadily become a reality. In a recent instance, a commencement ceremony for the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project was held late last year in the Kyrgyz border city of Jalalabad. Xi, in a congratulatory letter, called for building the railway into a "new demonstration project" under Belt and Road cooperation.

The line will originate from the ancient Silk Road hub of Kashgar, in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, cross the Torugart Pass into Kyrgyzstan, proceed westward through Jalalabad, and reach the eastern Uzbek city of Andijan.

This railway, said Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, is not merely a transport corridor, but serves as an important strategic bridge connecting countries of the East and the West.

Belt and Road cooperation has effectively boosted trade, travel and exchanges in the region. In 2024, China's trade with Central Asia reached a record $94.8 billion, fueled in part by a booming cross-border e-commerce sector. China now stands as Central Asia's top trading partner and major investment source.

Tajikistan became the first country to sign a memorandum of understanding with China regarding the Silk Road Economic Belt in 2014. Collaboration has since produced tangible outcomes, ranging from new highways and power plants to new city landmarks, many of which have been personally championed by Xi.

Tajikistan is also home to the first Luban Workshop in Central Asia -- a Chinese vocational training center that has already equipped more than 1,500 students with practical skills in engineering, architecture, water management and environmental protection, preparing talent for the nation's future development.

In a state visit to the country in 2024, Xi said to Tajik President Emomali Rahmon: "I have seen a more prosperous Tajikistan."