In early January this year, China celebrated the 30th anniversary of its diplomatic relations with the five Central Asian countries of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, respectively. This journey has not only brought tangible benefits to the people of the region, but has also made an important contribution to the peace, stability and development of the entire region.

Policy communication is the institutional guarantee for China and Central Asian countries to build a community of destiny together. Looking back, with the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the "One Belt, One Road" initiative as the nodes, China's relations with Central Asian countries have gone through three stages. The first phase (1992-2001) focused on resolving border issues through peaceful negotiations, establishing the prerequisites and main principles for the development of bilateral relations, and reaching consensus around the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The second phase (2001-2013) focused on joint efforts to combat the "three forces" and transnational criminal activities related to arms smuggling and drug trafficking, with mutual political trust strengthened under the dual-track framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Treaty of Good Neighbourliness. In the third phase (from 2013 to the present), we have relied on the regular exchange of high-level visits and intergovernmental cooperation mechanisms to promote the practical dovetailing of the Belt and Road construction with the development strategies of Central Asian countries.

The linkage of facilities is a priority direction for China and Central Asian countries to build a community of destiny together. To date, China and Central Asian countries have formed a form of cooperation integrating railways, highways, aviation, energy, electricity and information. Under the impact of the COVID-19, the number of inbound and outbound trains of China-European Liner has achieved a counter-trend growth, with Alashankou and Khorgos ports taking the lead. This demonstrates the stability of China's interactions with Central Asian countries. A series of projects in which China is involved, such as the Double-West Highway, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan International Highway, the Vaya Railway and the Ampar Railway, have added to the consolidation of multimodal integration in Central Asia.

The smooth flow of trade is the main element of the community of destiny that China and Central Asian countries have built together. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, economic and trade exchanges between China and Central Asian countries have grown from few to many, and China has become the most important trade partner country and investment source country in Central Asia.

Financial integration is an important support for China and Central Asian countries to build a community of destiny together. To the present day, financial cooperation between China and Central Asian countries has made significant progress, both at the level of policy banks and at the level of commercial banks.

Over the past 30 years, China and Central Asian countries have been increasingly engaged in cultural, educational, scientific, health and tourism exchanges. Cultural forums, media cooperation forums, international art festivals and international film festivals, using the Silk Road as a grip, have evoked a common memory and strong recognition of the "Silk Road spirit" in all countries. China has opened more than ten Confucius Institutes in Central Asia, and more and more people are learning Chinese and studying in China. In addition to educational cooperation, universities and research institutes have played a key role in scientific cooperation, promoting joint archaeological and monument restoration work. At the same time, medical institutions have launched services such as remote consultation of cases, cross-border medical consultations and medical technology transfer, helping Central Asian countries to improve their medical standards through the "Internet + medical" model. China is also working with Central Asian countries to launch the "Silk Road Visa", making Central Asia, with its unique culture and natural landscape, a new choice for Chinese tourists.

Over the past 30 years, China and Central Asian countries have made significant progress in their relations, and have been at the forefront of building a community of human destiny. Standing at the new historical starting point of the 30th anniversary, the five-point proposal put forward by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the "China+5 Central Asian Countries" Foreign Ministers' Meeting paints a picture of development. The first is to persist in uniting against the COVID-19 and building a health community. The second is to persevere in innovation and build a Silk Road economic pioneer zone. The third is to insist on openness and cooperation, and to create a great channel of interconnection between Asia and Europe. Fourth, insist on harmony and cooperation, and forge a stable anchor for the regional situation. Fifth, insist on exchange and mutual appreciation, and draw a new blueprint for high-quality development.