China and Central Asian Nations Expand SCO Economic Ties
China is deepening economic and security cooperation with Central Asian nations through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to expand trade and infrastructure across Eurasia.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is expanding its agenda to link regional security with economic development, digital transformation, and energy sustainability. This shift follows a surge in trade between China and the five Central Asian nations—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan—which exceeded 100 billion U.S. dollars for the first time in 2025.
During a September summit in Bishkek, President Xi Jinping designated the organization as "a priority area for promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and implementing the Global Development Initiative." The SCO now serves as the primary political platform for coordinating interests across Eurasia, while the Belt and Road Initiative provides the necessary investment and infrastructure for production chains and cross-border transport corridors.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the organization is increasingly used by the Government of China to integrate security goals with large-scale economic initiatives in the region.
