ASTANA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Against the backdrop of a flagging global economy and rising protectionism, China-Central Asia cooperation continues to grow, forging new opportunities to bolster ties, said a Xinhua think tank report released on Sunday.

No matter how the international situation changes, China will remain committed to high-level opening-up and deepen its cooperation with Central Asia, as highlighted in the report titled "Championing the China-Central Asia Spirit: Achievements, Opportunities and Prospects for Regional Cooperation" released by Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency.

China's commitment to advancing high-level opening-up has created opportunities for Central Asian enterprises to tap into China's vast market and promote economies of scale. Platforms such as the China International Import Expo and the Silk Road International Expo have offered Central Asian companies new channels to expand their global reach.

China and Central Asian countries have highly complementary industrial structures, offering ample opportunities for coordinated development of industrial and supply chains, according to the report. The two sides are aligning closely in areas such as renewable energy, digital innovation and agricultural modernization.

Infrastructure projects like the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and the China-Europe Caspian Sea Express are transforming Central Asia into a pivotal transit hub, linking it with markets in Europe, the Middle East and South Asia, thereby enhancing the region's geoeconomic standing and offering fresh opportunities for diversified development.

However, challenges remain. The rise of unilateralism, trade protectionism and global market volatility, is exerting pressure on collaboration. Moreover, non-traditional security threats, such as terrorism and extremism, as well as cybersecurity issues, add layers of complexity to the relationship between China and Central Asia. Addressing these challenges will require stronger coordination.■