President Tokayev of Kazakhstan Meets with Security Ministers from Central Asia and China, Emphasizes Deepening Regional Security Cooperation
Source: Kazakh International News Agency — According to the Presidential Press Service, on the 18th, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan held a meeting in Astana with the Minister of Public Security of China, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Ulan Niyazbekov, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan Ramazon Rahimzoda, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan Muhammad Khedrov, and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan Aziz Tashpotayev, who had come to Kazakhstan to attend the second meeting of the "Central Asia-China" Ministerial Mechanism on Public Security and Internal Affairs.
During the meeting, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on issues including ensuring regional security, combating transnational crime and drug trafficking, safeguarding cyber security, curbing extremism, and addressing other modern security challenges.
Tokayev emphasized that deepening cooperation between law enforcement agencies of Central Asian countries and China holds significant strategic importance for maintaining regional stability and security.
"Currently, organized transnational crime is rapidly expanding, while cybercrime has evolved into a highly profitable global industry, causing hundreds of billions of dollars in economic losses to people across nations. Criminal syndicates frequently exploit digital systems to coordinate operations, launder money, and launch cross-border cyberattacks. As a crucial hub along key transportation and trade routes, the Central Asian region is increasingly vulnerable to infiltration by transnational criminal networks. Therefore, the urgency of joint efforts to combat organized transnational crime, drug smuggling, and human trafficking has become more pronounced. I firmly believe that only through uniting all parties, achieving real-time information sharing, strengthening institutionalized collaboration, and actively adopting modern technologies can we effectively address these pressing challenges. Kazakhstan has consistently and resolutely supported deeper regional and international security cooperation. We are committed to open dialogue, sharing best practices, and promoting joint decision-making to ensure the safety of our citizens and foster sustainable development among nations," Tokayev stated.
The Head of State said that no space must be left for criminals to undermine regional stability, and all parties must take systematic and decisive actions.
"Kazakhstan not only regards upholding the rule of law as a fundamental duty of law enforcement agencies but also elevates it to a strategic national priority. We are continuously advancing the principle of 'Law and Order,' which has been enshrined in the new constitution and serves as a cornerstone of national modernization. A key current task is to sever the financial lifelines of organized transnational criminal groups. At the same time, we must proactively expose the dissemination of extremist ideologies, prevent terrorist organizations from recruiting via the internet, and promptly thwart plots of terrorist attacks. These threats are deeply interconnected; only comprehensive, systematic joint efforts can effectively eliminate them. I am confident that the 'Central Asia-China' mechanism will become an important model for enhancing security cooperation, enabling coordinated action, and making precise decisions among participating countries," Tokayev remarked.
Tokayev pointed out that as socioeconomic life accelerates its shift toward the digital sphere, cybersecurity has reached unprecedented importance.
"Crime in the field of information technology knows no borders and is increasingly infringing upon the legitimate interests of ordinary citizens, businesses, and government institutions. Hybrid technologies and information technologies are now frequently used to spread disinformation, incite hatred, and create divisions. If artificial intelligence is exploited by malevolent forces, it could transform into a highly dangerous information weapon with serious consequences. Currently, illegal and non-compliant content continues to proliferate in cyberspace. To this end, we must systematically improve existing cooperative mechanisms and advance cybersecurity protection from reactive responses toward proactive early warning and 'proactive defense' models," Tokayev said.
The Head of State further noted that deepening economic cooperation among regional countries and advancing joint infrastructure projects is equally closely linked to the security environment.
"The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route is gradually becoming a strategically critical component of the Eurasian logistics system. With the reconfiguration of global trade supply chains and rising geopolitical pressures, the significance of this route continues to grow. However, increasing freight volumes also bring higher risks of transnational crime—especially smuggling, drug trafficking, and arms trafficking," Tokayev stated.
President Tokayev called on all parties to fully unlock the potential of the 'Central Asia-China' mechanism and jointly build a more efficient regional security system.
"I believe that public security and internal affairs departments across countries should continue strengthening cooperation ties and deepen information exchange in the fields of security and public order. This fully aligns with the shared expectations of peoples across nations. Citizens expect leaders and law enforcement agencies to take timely and effective measures to restore social order and create a safe and stable living environment. Our younger generation and all citizens must genuinely feel that national leaders, ministers of internal affairs, and relevant officials are taking solid, lawful, and effective measures to maintain stability—thereby gaining true security," Tokayev emphasized.
Tokayev reiterated that Kazakhstan places high importance on continuously deepening security cooperation with China and neighboring Central Asian countries based on mutual trust, good-neighborliness, and shared responsibility.
All attending representatives expressed their willingness to further strengthen connections, establish efficient information-sharing mechanisms, deepen professional exchanges, and actively promote the widespread application of modern technological tools within daily law enforcement operations.
President Tokayev stated that he believes this meeting will inject new strong momentum into deepening the security partnership between China and Central Asia, enhancing their capacity for coordinated responses.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1865542218357767/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author.