Xinhua Commentary: China-Central Asia Spirit points the way toward shared prosperity

by Xinhua writer Zhang Bin

ASTANA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency, published a report here on Sunday titled "Championing the China-Central Asia Spirit: Achievements, Opportunities and Prospects for Regional Cooperation."

The report offers a comprehensive review of the major accomplishments, opportunities and challenges in China-Central Asia cooperation. It looks ahead to its vast potential in an era of unprecedented changes.

Anchored in millennia of ancient Silk Road exchanges and fortified by three decades of partnership, the China-Central Asia relationship has evolved into a new paradigm of international relations -- one that is built on mutual respect and win-win cooperation.

In the new era, China and Central Asia have become good neighbors, friends, partners, and brothers, defined by a shared future. From fast-growing trade and deeper investment ties to stronger infrastructure connectivity and green energy collaboration, from cultural exchange to mutual learning between civilizations, China and Central Asia have set a compelling example of good-neighborly relations on the Eurasian continent.

Together, they have explored and shaped the "China-Central Asia Spirit," characterized by "mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit and mutual assistance for the joint pursuit of modernization through high-quality development," setting a model and exemplar for regional cooperation.

Currently, the rise of unilateralism and trade protectionism, along with disruptions to global industrial and supply chains, has cast a shadow over the prospects of international trade. While China-Central Asia cooperation has yielded tremendous results, it also faces multiple risks and challenges.

In the face of a severe and complex external environment, China remains steadfast in managing its own affairs well and in expanding high-level opening-up. Throughout this process, China has consistently prioritized engagement with Central Asia, working with regional countries to expand the pie of mutual benefit and inject stability into the regional economy. This also sets an example for peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation among nations worldwide.

Amid the present-day technological revolution and ongoing industrial transformation, coupled with the deepening development of regional cooperation, China and Central Asia are rapidly expanding cooperation in new fields to achieve coordinated and innovative development.

Standing at a new historical height, China and Central Asia will embrace an even more open attitude and take firmer steps to jointly write a new chapter of regional prosperity. Together, they are expected to inject greater certainty and positive energy into a turbulent world, ignite new rays of hope for humanity's journey toward a brighter future, and contribute even more to building a community with a shared future for mankind. ■