China-Central Asia Summit issues Xi'an Declaration

By CGTN

Leaders of China and Central Asian countries on Friday signed and released the Xi'an Declaration of the China-Central Asia Summit.

The two-day summit concluded on Friday in Xi'an City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

The Declaration hailed the cooperation between the two sides as all-round and productive, stressing that the six countries agreed to build a closer community with a shared future between China and Central Asian countries.  

The Declaration said a mechanism for meetings among the heads of state of China and Central Asian countries has been officially established, with the two sides – China and Central Asian countries – taking turns to host the biennial summit. 

The six countries spoke highly of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and agreed to coordinate their respective development strategies with the BRI, according to the Declaration. 

They agreed to increase trade, boost connectivity of railways and roads, and increase flights, it added. 

The six countries also vowed to speed up the construction of the cross-border railway that connects China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. 

The Xi'an Declaration said signatory countries will explore the potential for further agricultural cooperation, and China has agreed to increase imports of agricultural products from Central Asia. 

China and the five Central Asian countries also agreed to boost cooperation in areas such as fossil fuels, renewable energy, education, science, tourism and healthcare, the Declaration added.