中文
By Yelena Kalyuzhnova
As the second China-Central Asia Summit convenes in Kazakhstan this June, there is a growing sense that a new direction is emerging in the relationship between China and its western neighbors. While the first phase of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was defined by roads, railways, and energy pipelines, the next phase may well be shaped by green industrial transformation. For both sides, this shift is timely and increasingly essential.
Central Asia is one of the world's most resource-rich regions, yet its economies remain heavily dependent on fossil fuels and raw material exports. In Kazakhstan, for example, oil accounts for roughly 60 percent of total exports, while in Turkmenistan, natural gas is the backbone of the economy. At the same time, these countries are confronting rising environmental risks: desertification, water stress, and increasingly erratic weather patterns are undermining agricultural productivity and putting pressure on already fragile ecosystems.
Despite these challenges, the region is home to significant untapped renewable energy potential. According to a study published by Renewable Energy Focus, Central Asia's combined solar and wind capacity could reach between 1,700 and 3,900 gigawatts – enough to cover a substantial share of its future energy needs. However, realizing this potential will require not only capital and technology, but also a rethinking of how industrial policy is designed and implemented.
China, having built the world's largest solar and wind power industries and dominating global battery production, is positioned to assist in this transformation. Beyond its manufacturing capacity, China has experience in building integrated green industrial ecosystems – networks of firms, research centers, training institutions, and financial frameworks that enable the development of value-added, future-facing industries. For Central Asian countries seeking to diversify away from raw resource extraction, this model offers valuable lessons.
A green industrial partnership between China and Central Asia could follow three key principles.
Projects must be grounded in the specific needs and conditions of Central Asian communities. In rural Kyrgyzstan or the deserts of western Uzbekistan, decentralized energy systems – such as solar mini-grids or small-scale wind turbines – can provide reliable power where extending the grid would be prohibitively expensive. But more importantly, local ownership and participation must be built in from the outset. This means involving communities in project design, training local technicians, and ensuring that benefits – such as electricity access, job creation, and reduced energy costs – are visible and fairly distributed.
Too often, energy infrastructure in developing economies is installed with limited local engagement, leading to dependence on foreign expertise and limited technology transfer. For the green transition to support long-term growth, investments must support the development of local manufacturing and services. This includes training a skilled workforce, supporting university-industry partnerships, and ensuring that foreign firms work with local suppliers and innovators.
One promising model is the creation of "green industry zones," where Chinese and Central Asian partners co-invest in facilities for processing critical minerals – such as copper, lithium, and rare earths – that are needed for solar panels, electric vehicles, and batteries. With the right regulatory support, these zones could become centers of export-oriented green manufacturing, helping to reduce global supply chain fragility while providing stable, high-quality jobs.
Many infrastructure projects suffer from low utilization after construction. Renewable energy is no exception. To avoid this, green investments must be aligned with broader regional development strategies. Locating solar or wind farms near planned industrial hubs, logistics centers, or large-scale agricultural operations can help ensure consistent demand. At the same time, public communication matters: When citizens understand how a project will improve their lives – whether through cleaner air, lower bills, or new employment opportunities – they are more likely to support it.
For China, this is not only a matter of diplomacy – it is also strategic. As global demand grows for green technologies and the minerals that support them, ensuring stable and mutually beneficial partnerships with countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan will become more important. These countries, in turn, benefit from Chinese technology, investment, and access to global markets.
The opportunity is clear. Central Asia possesses the land, the resources, and the political will. China brings the capital, the technology, and the experience. What is needed now is a shared vision – one that goes beyond short-term construction projects and focuses on long-term development, institutional learning, and industrial upgrading.
The next Silk Road will not be paved with oil and gas. It will be built with copper wiring, solar panels, and the collective will to create prosperity without pollution.
As leaders gather again in Astana, they would do well to ask not just what can be built – but who benefits, who learns, and who leads in the green economy of tomorrow.
Yelena Kalyuzhnova, a special commentator for CGTN, is the Vice Dean of Henley Business School and Director of the Centre for Euro-Asian Studies at the University of Reading, specializing in energy economics and sustainable development in emerging markets.
