Chinese Premier Reveals Grand Plan To Develop Central Asia

China's President Xi Jinping outlined an ambitious plan on  May 19 to help Central Asia go to the next level of development, from expanding infrastructure networks to increasing trade, while avoiding "external interference."

China is ready to coordinate development strategies with the five Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and to work together to promote the modernization of all six countries, said Xi at the China-Central Asia Summit in northwest China.

"The world needs a Central Asia that is stable, prosperous, harmonious, and well-connected," added Xi.

At the same time, Xi emphasised that the six countries should fight "external interference" in regional countries' internal affairs, as well as attempts to promote "colour revolutions," and maintain a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

"China stands ready to assist Central Asian countries in strengthening their law enforcement, security, and defence capabilities," Xi stated.

The two-day summit in the historic Silk Road city of Xian has been portrayed as a triumph of Chinese regional diplomacy, with the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan previously pledging support for Beijing and vowing deeper bilateral cooperation.

The show of solidarity from China's Central Asian neighbours is likely to stand in stark contrast to the "negative" image of Beijing that will be presented at the Group of Seven leaders' summit in Hiroshima over the weekend.

China and Central Asian countries should deepen strategic mutual trust and always offer "clear and strong support" for each other on core interests such as sovereignty, independence, national dignity, and long-term development, Xi said, without mentioning war-torn Ukraine, a former Soviet state like the Central Asian nations.