Xi Jinping. Photo: Press service of the President of Kazakhstan
In 2025, China will provide 1.5 billion yuan (approximately $209 million) in non-repayable aid to Central Asian countries. The announcement was made by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the second “China–Central Asia” summit held in Astana.
“We are ready this year to provide Central Asian countries with a 1.5 billion yuan grant to support meaningful projects in the five countries aimed at improving public welfare and promoting independent development,” Xi said.
As part of the China–Central Asia framework, Xi also announced the establishment of several regional initiatives: a center for poverty reduction, a center for educational exchange and cooperation, a center to combat desertification, and a platform to improve trade facilitation.
At the inaugural summit held in Xi’an in 2023, Xi pledged 26 billion yuan (around $3.72 billion) in assistance to Central Asia.
The second summit took place on June 17, 2025, in Astana and was chaired by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Attending leaders included President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, and President Serdar Berdimuhamedow of Turkmenistan.
