China Expands Its Economic Footprint Across Central Asia
Soft power, in the form of scientific cooperation, is helping to drive an expansion of China’s economic influence in Central Asia. Uzbekistan and China, for example, recently launched the joint hyperspectral satellite, Samarkand-2028, which will support applications in agriculture, environmental monitoring, water resource management and natural disaster response. The satellite also features an…
China's economic influence is growing in Central Asia through various means, including scientific cooperation and infrastructure development. Recently, Uzbekistan and China launched a joint hyperspectral satellite named Samarkand-2028, which will assist in agriculture, environmental monitoring, water resource management, and natural disaster response.
The satellite also features an Uzbek-developed AI module for efficient onboard data processing. In addition, Uzbek agricultural officials are working with Chinese scientists to combat desertification, revive soil fertility in the Aral Sea region, and develop drought-resistant plant varieties.
Kazakhstan has been actively seeking to strengthen its ties with China in scientific research and agricultural yield improvement. A meeting between Kazakhstan's Minister of Science and Higher Education and Chinese research representatives at Kozybayev University aimed to expand cooperation and implement research findings. Meanwhile, Tajikistan is focusing on enhancing education and scientific cooperation with China through the Strategic Studies Center.
Transit and connectivity improvements are also part of China's strategy in Central Asia. The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway might be completed at least a year ahead of schedule, according to Uzbekistan's transport minister. The railway project, funded by a $5 billion loan from China, could cost up to $9 billion. Kazakhstan and China are exploring aviation cooperation by establishing new routes and a joint regional airline using Chinese-made COMAC aircraft.
Additionally, Kyrgyzstan and China are preparing an intergovernmental agreement for a cross-border road bridge at the Bedel checkpoint, and Kyrgyz carrier AeroNomad Airlines has launched its first direct flight to China.
Kazakhstan is raising funds through sovereign panda bonds, yuan-denominated securities, which could raise about $500 million if successful. Kazakhstan and China have also signed a three-year bilateral currency swap agreement to facilitate trade and investment by improving access to tenge and yuan liquidity. In Kyrgyzstan, China became the largest foreign investor in 2025, surpassing Russia.
The country provided Kyrgyzstan with 370 pieces of specialized equipment worth 148.9 million yuan for irrigation network modernization.
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