China-Central Asia Summit to be held in May

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang chairs the fourth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers' Meeting, with Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu, Kyrgyzstan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Kulubaev Zheenbek Moldokanovich, Tajikistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Uzbekistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov, and Turkmenistan's First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vepa Hajiyev attended in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 27, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhang Bowen]

The China-Central Asia Summit will be held in May in Xi'an, the capital city of China's Shaanxi Province, a press release of the fourth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers' Meeting said on Thursday.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang chaired the meeting, which was attended by Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu, Kyrgyzstan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Kulubaev Zheenbek Moldokanovich, Tajikistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Uzbekistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov, and Turkmenistan's First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vepa Hajiyev.

Noting the historic and breakthrough achievements China and Central Asian countries have made as good neighbors, friends, partners, and brothers, Qin said China-Central Asia relations and regional development have shown unprecedented vitality.

Qin said all sides should strengthen cooperation and unity in the face of complex situations and continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests.

He called on the six countries to jointly build the Belt and Road with high quality, crack down on religious extremists, ethnic separatists and violent terrorist forces, and firmly oppose any interference in the internal affairs of countries in the region by force under any pretext.

Qin also calls for working together to build a Cultural Silk Road, strengthening multilateral coordination to make the international order more just and equitable.

During the third China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers' Meeting in June 2022, all parties agreed to establish a China-Central Asia heads of state meeting mechanism.

The ministers made comprehensive political preparations for the upcoming summit this time, pledging to strengthen friendship and boost all-around cooperation.

Hailing the vital role Central Asia-China cooperation has played in consolidating strategic mutual trust, accelerating respective development, promoting connectivity, and safeguarding common security, the ministers expect that the summit will bring new opportunities to the region.

Concerning the Ukraine crisis, ministers from Central Asia support China's initiative of persuading peace and promoting talks, and advocate that conflicts should be resolved through diplomatic means in accordance with the spirit of international law.

Central Asian countries are willing to strengthen coordination with China and work together for universal security, lasting peace, and sustainable development in the region, the ministers said.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang chairs the fourth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers' Meeting, with Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu, Kyrgyzstan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Kulubaev Zheenbek Moldokanovich, Tajikistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Uzbekistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov, and Turkmenistan's First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vepa Hajiyev attended in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 27, 2023. [Xinhua/Shao Rui]

Source: <https://eng.yidaiyilu.gov.cn/qwyw/rdxw/316311.htm>