Xinhua think tank report highlights fruitful results of China-Central Asia cooperation
ASTANA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- China and Central Asian countries have deepened their comprehensive cooperation, yielding successful outcomes across a broad spectrum, said a Xinhua think tank report released on Sunday.
Seven key areas have witnessed tremendous results in ties: economic and trade exchanges, infrastructure connectivity, energy collaboration, emerging sectors, development capacity building, mutual learning among civilizations, and peace and security, said the report titled "Championing the China-Central Asia Spirit: Achievements, Opportunities and Prospects for Regional Cooperation" released by Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency.
From rail corridors to renewable energy, from education to cultural exchange, China-Central Asia cooperation is delivering real benefits on the ground, laying a stronger foundation for shared growth.
Economic and trade cooperation between China and Central Asian countries has grown in volume and quality in recent years, and China has become Central Asia's largest trading partner and a significant source of investment, according to the report.
To foster sustainable growth, China and Central Asian countries have expanded their cooperation in science, technology, and education. The Luban Workshop has become a new platform for collaboration in international vocational education. Tailored to local development needs, Luban Workshops in Central Asia have created demand-driven training models to support regional poverty alleviation and industrialization.
People-to-people exchanges are also flourishing, said the report. Central Asian tourism, culture and art festivals are witnessing growing popularity in China. Chinese films and TV dramas, such as Min-Ning Town and To the Wonder, have become hits in Central Asia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysia Sun
4 hours ago
- Malaysia Sun
Economic Watch: ASEAN integration drives development of independent regional financial system, analyst says
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Greater economic integration among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is accelerating efforts to build an independent and resilient regional financial system, aimed at reducing reliance on external currencies and enhancing monetary stability across Southeast Asia, according to a Malaysian analyst. These moves are not meant to target any specific country but rather reflect a desire to move away from external financial volatility and facilitate transactions using local currencies for intra-ASEAN trade, which will enable seamless cross-border transactions, provide greater market access for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and also boost regional tourism, Lee Pei May, a political expert at the International Islamic University Malaysia, said in a recent interview with Xinhua. "The push for the use of local currencies has been ongoing for some time, as it helps strengthen the economic integration of ASEAN member states -- an important goal that ASEAN seeks to pursue. In fact, other regions are also moving away from relying too heavily on a single foreign currency, such as the U.S. dollar, as external interest rates and shifting government policies may cause significant volatility in currency exchange," she explained, adding that volatility is undesirable in any business. "Apart from the benefits of easier and faster transactions between businesses and banks of ASEAN countries through the use of local currencies, cross-border payments in local currencies can also help to avoid the volatility from outside the area," she said. Lee also said that allowing cross-border settlements in local currencies would be faster and cheaper, and singled out the tourism sector as a big winner, as tourists in the region will not need to go through the hassle of changing physical money when visiting other ASEAN states. "The Regional Payment Connectivity (RPC) initiative was first established to strengthen payment connectivity among the five ASEAN members, notably Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. To date, the initiative has expanded to include central banks of Vietnam, Laos, Brunei and Cambodia," she said. "The participation would bring about seamless cross-border transactions and boost tourism in the region. Under the local currency settlement framework, many national payment systems have been linked, such as between Malaysia and Indonesia," she said. Lee also noted that the ASEAN push for local currencies and reduced dependency on external monetary systems has gained momentum amid growing awareness of the risks posed by relying on the U.S. dollar. "In the past, certain currencies were viewed as stable, but due to increasingly unpredictable global developments, this perception is shifting," Lee said, adding that if economic tools were to be used to exert pressure on policy differences, it could have negative implications. "Such risks, even if unlikely, remind us why building regional financial resilience is critical," she said.
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Brunei crown prince joins new Islamic year prayer
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Xinhua): Brunei's Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Al-Muhtadee Billah had evening graced the end of the Islamic year and new Islamic year 1447 Hijrah prayer ceremony, local media reported. According to the local daily Borneo Bulletin on Friday, the event took place at Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah mosque near the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, and the gathering served as a moment for prayerful reflection, seeking divine blessings for the nation's continued peace, prosperity, and well-being in the year ahead. The annual national-level hijrah celebration in Brunei was jointly organized by Brunei's Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, according to the Borneo Bulletin. Brunei is located in the northern part of Borneo Island in South-East Asia and has a rich and long-standing Islamic cultural heritage. - Xinhua
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
China-Laos Railway sees over 10 billion yuan in trade value from Jan-May
KUNMING (Xinhua): The China-Laos Railway handled more than 2.48 million tonnes of import and export cargo valued at over 10 billion yuan (US$1.4 billion) from January to May this year, customs data has showed . Both freight volume and value saw significant growth in this period, with a 7.9-per cent year-on-year increase in volume and a 33.2-per cent surge in value. In May alone, this railway transported 512,000 tonnes of goods worth 3.76 billion yuan -- setting a monthly record high since its opening in December 2021. Following its launch, the railway has experienced robust growth in cargo transport. As of May 22, total freight volume had surpassed 60 million tonnes, with cross-border shipments exceeding 13.9 million tonnes. The range of goods transported has expanded dramatically from just over 10 types initially to more than 3,000. These goods include electronics, photovoltaic products, communication equipment, automobiles, agricultural products, industrial goods and daily necessities. - Xinhua
