Virtual summit to commemorate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Central Asian Countries and China took place on Tuesday. During his speech, the Chinese Leader vowing to increase China's trade with these countries to $70 billion by 2030.
The summit initiated by Chinese Leader gathered Heads of Central Asian countries – Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Chinese state media organization CGTN reports.
Xi Jinping cordially greeted the summit participants and congratulated them on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Central Asian countries.
In his speech, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said the current mutually beneficial relations allow Central Asian countries and China to successfully develop cooperation in the transport sector.
President Xi also promised to provide 50 million more vaccines to the region, set up additional medical centers and ultimately assemble what he described as a health industry alliance between them all.
President Berdimuhamedov also said that in the near future the participating countries will arrange the organization of regular meetings of representatives of scientific and medical associations, epidemiological, sanitary and other services of relevant institutions in the Central Asia – China format. The President suggested holding the first such meeting this year, the official Turkmen media reported.
"There is great interest between the participating countries in the humanitarian sphere of cooperation. On this basis, we should encourage this interest. We need to actively promote broad cultural and scientific exchanges," Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.
Other initiatives proposed by the Chinese Leader include expanding tourism, expert exchanges and media cooperation, among other proposals. Xi Jinping also said that his country will provide 1,200 scholarships for Central Asian students to receive their education in China.
Trade between China and Central Asian countries has grown by more than 100 times in the past 30 years.
