Amid the global transformation of international relations, Central Asia finds itself at the center of attention of major global powers. The weakening of the West’s global influence, shifting geoeconomic priorities, and increasing instability in neighboring regions have made it imperative for Central Asian countries to seek new foreign policy anchors and formats of cooperation. In this context, the “China–Central Asia” (C+C5) format is gaining particular significance, having emerged as an independent diplomatic mechanism against the backdrop of reduced activity from traditional institutions.
The first full-fledged “China–Central Asia” Summit, held in Xi’an in May 2023, proposed an alternative model of cooperation, focused not only on the economy but also on political, cultural, and humanitarian interaction.
In an environment of growing competition between global powers in the region, the C+C5 format is becoming a key element of the new regional architecture. Its development can not only enhance economic interdependence but also influence the region’s political landscape.
The Role of the “China–Central Asia” Format
The formation of the “China–Central Asia” format is occurring during tectonic shifts in international politics. The Russia–Ukraine conflict, Western sanctions, rising protectionism, and the weakening of global governance institutions are increasing the fragmentation of the world system. Against this backdrop, China is strengthening its position consistently and strategically by offering a relatively conflict-free, pragmatic, and economically beneficial model of cooperation.
The C+C5 format is distinct in that it is not based on ideology or military alliances, but on economics, infrastructure, and mutual benefit. China is already the region’s top trading partner, investor in infrastructure projects, and a source of technological modernization under the Belt and Road Initiative.
From a geoeconomic perspective, Central Asia is important to China for several reasons: energy security (the region supplies oil, gas, and uranium); the presence of transport corridors (land routes from China to Europe via Central Asia); and stability in adjacent areas of Central Asia.
Politically, the format allows China to build bilateral relations with each country in the region, bypassing competing international institutions and avoiding pressure from other powers. At the same time, Central Asian countries, striving for multi-vector diplomacy and reduced dependency on Russia, are interested in diversifying foreign policy ties and gaining access to Chinese investment, technologies, and markets.
Thus, the geopolitical and geoeconomic context gives the format special significance, reflecting a transition to multipolarity and a search for regional balance of interests in which China may act as a catalyst.
For Kazakhstan, the “China–Central Asia” format represents both a foreign policy opportunity and a challenge requiring a delicate balance between multi-vector diplomacy and national interests. Kazakhstan is the largest country in the region by territory, GDP, and political influence, acting as a key player in this mechanism and a pillar for China’s regional initiatives.
The C+C5 format provides Kazakhstan with a tool for direct dialogue with China and the opportunity to strengthen coordination with other regional countries, positioning itself as a leader in integration initiatives and a bridge between China and the West.
Kazakhstan’s economic interests are closely intertwined with China’s, as China is Kazakhstan’s second-largest trading partner after Russia (bilateral trade volume reached $44 billion in 2024). Chinese investments in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, logistics, and digital technologies are poised to play a crucial role in realizing Kazakhstan’s national sustainable development agenda and improving its export competitiveness. Participation in the format also allows Kazakhstan to diversify economic ties, reduce overreliance on other external powers, and reinforce its status as a Eurasian transit hub.
Kazakhstan is actively engaged in multiple Belt and Road Initiative projects, including railway modernization, construction of logistics hubs, and establishment of special economic zones.
In terms of security, the format acts as a buffer for stability. For China, Central Asia serves as an external perimeter for safeguarding internal stability. The participation of Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, in joint initiatives to combat transnational crime, extremism, and arms trafficking aligns with China’s logic of “preventing threats beyond its borders.” Kazakhstan, in turn, is interested in securing border regions, strengthening law enforcement, and enhancing its capacity in digital and cyber security.
The humanitarian dimension is also advancing within the format. China actively employs soft power tools — from cultural centers and academic exchange programs to scholarships and media platforms. These initiatives offer China a way to build a positive image and establish a socio-cultural base for long-term influence. Kazakhstan approaches humanitarian cooperation pragmatically, prioritizing access to quality education, scientific exchange, and modern technologies.
In this light, the C+C5 format is not only an economic corridor but also a space for diplomatic competition and strategic self-realization. It represents a next-generation diplomatic platform focused on building a sustainable, pragmatic, and strategically oriented model of interaction between China and the five regional states. The format’s constructive role lies in its ability to create intersections in the economic, political-security, and humanitarian spheres, while allowing room for flexibility and multilateral maneuvering. China and Kazakhstan, as key participants in this format, invest in it with different yet complementary expectations and strategic intentions.
From China’s perspective, the format serves as a vital channel for projecting economic strength and political influence in the region. In a time of geopolitical tensions and constraints on traditional external routes, Central Asia has become a strategic overland corridor for China. The development of trade and infrastructure links, integration of logistics routes, and localization of production are all foundations of China’s new geoeconomic strategy.
Prospects of the “China–Central Asia” Format
The “China–Central Asia” format is gradually transforming from a consultative mechanism into a sustainable regional platform capable of influencing the dynamics of economic, political, and humanitarian processes in the region. Its future prospects depend not only on the current interests of its members but also on the scale of global transformations in which Central Asia is acquiring a new systemic role.
From the Chinese side, there is a trend toward institutionalizing the format. The existing model of predominantly bilateral interactions with each regional country may shift toward a more coordinated and structured approach. China is interested in establishing working bodies, expert platforms, and coordination centers within the C+C5 framework to more effectively promote initiatives and strategies. Institutionalization could include regular summits, sectoral cooperation forums, and specialized funding for joint projects — for instance, a Secretariat already exists within the format.
For Kazakhstan, these prospects present opportunities to elevate its role in shaping the regional agenda. In a context of intensifying geoeconomic competition among global actors, Kazakhstan aims not only to use Chinese resources to modernize its economy but also to actively participate in shaping the norms and rules of engagement within the format. Promising areas include industrial cooperation — such as production transfers, development of manufacturing sectors, green energy, transport logistics, and digital solutions. Advancing Kazakh export interests to the Chinese market and beyond is also critical.
However, the format’s future will largely depend on the ability of participants to address challenges such as asymmetry, public perception, and competition from other powers. In this environment, Kazakhstan’s capacity to build a flexible diplomatic trajectory will be crucial, turning the C+C5 format into a platform not for unilateral influence but for multilateral development.
In conclusion, the “China–Central Asia” format is a key element of the emerging regional architecture in which China serves as the initiator and driving force, while Central Asian states are equal participants seeking to align national interests with opportunities for economic and infrastructural growth. With its geostrategic location and advanced diplomatic networks, Kazakhstan has the potential to transform this format into a tool for multi-level development — from logistics integration to humanitarian exchange. With strategic coordination and flexible approaches, the “China–Central Asia” format could become a long-term factor of stability and development in the region.
China Studies Center
Photo: CGTN
