Central Asian Media: China and Central Asia's Trade Volume Breaks $100 Billion Mark by 2025

Despite challenges facing global economic growth, China's trade volume with Central Asian countries is expected to surpass the $100 billion milestone by 2025, setting a new historical record.

Data from China Customs shows that the trade structure between China and Central Asian nations—including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—has improved, with more high-end products from the region entering the Chinese market.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said at the beginning of the year: "Amid persistently weak global economic growth and severe challenges facing the international trade system, China’s economic and trade cooperation with Central Asian countries has withstood external adverse factors, achieving a trade volume exceeding $100 billion."

The growing collaboration with Central Asia is partly attributed to the China-Central Asia Summit held last year in Astana, Kazakhstan. China’s Belt and Road Initiative is also making progress, including the development of trade routes through Central Asia connecting to Europe.

In 2025, total trade between China and Central Asia reached $106.3 billion, up 12% compared to the previous year. Exports from China to Central Asia (including machinery, electronic products, and high-tech goods) amounted to $71.2 billion, an increase of 11% year-on-year; imports from Central Asia totaled $35.1 billion, rising 14% compared to 2024.

China has participated in multiple major projects in Central Asia, including mining mineral resources for "clean" technologies, manufacturing equipment, and promoting agricultural modernization. China imports oil, natural gas, and an increasing range of other products from the region.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia was the primary trading partner for Central Asia, but China now dominates this role. The United States is also seeking to expand trade ties with the resource-rich Central Asian region, while Central Asian countries are striving to diversify their international partnerships.

Source: Central Asian Times

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1862561192342540/

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