China and Central Asia are experiencing a significant enhancement in their economic and trade relations, with trade volume increasing consistently over the past decade. Recent statistics from the General Administration of Customs reveal that trade between China and the five Central Asian nations surged from 312.04 billion yuan (approximately $43.48 billion) in 2013 to 674.15 billion yuan in 2024, marking a remarkable 116 percent growth.
The annual growth rate during this period was an impressive 7.3 percent, outpacing the overall trade growth of China by 2.3 percentage points. Notably, the first five months of 2025 saw trade with these countries reach 286.42 billion yuan, reflecting a 10.4 percent year-on-year increase, setting a new record for this timeframe.
China has been keen on enhancing agricultural collaboration with Central Asia, leading to an influx of high-quality farm products into its market. From January to May, imports of agricultural goods from these nations amounted to 4.36 billion yuan, marking a 26.9 percent rise. Noteworthy increases include a dramatic 202.1 percent rise in linseed imports from Kazakhstan and a staggering 10.9-fold growth in honey imports from Kyrgyzstan.
The improvement in land transportation has significantly boosted trade, with road transport accounting for 51.8 percent of the total trade volume in 2024, a sharp contrast to just 19.9 percent in 2020.
Looking ahead, the upcoming second China-Central Asia Summit, scheduled for June 16-18 in Astana, aims to consolidate these growing ties, aligning with shared goals for regional stability and sustainable development.
Source: news.cgtn.com
