China–Central Asia Agricultural Cooperation Update (Issue 1, 2026)
Issue 1
01. The 2nd China-Central Asia International Symposium on Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation and Cooperation (09-20 to 09-23, Tashkent)
from September 20 to 23, 2026, the second China-Central Asia International Symposium on Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation and Cooperation was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with the theme of "Science and Technology Empowerment and Green Synergy". At the opening ceremony, a number of agricultural science and technology cooperation agreements were signed, the China-Ukraine cotton science and technology demonstration base was unveiled, and the world's first large-scale language model of cotton knowledge "cotton core 1.0" was released ". The conference will set up four thematic sub-venues, focusing on the collaborative innovation and high-quality development of the whole cotton industry chain, the intelligent cultivation of characteristic fruits, vegetables and melons and the upgrading of the industry chain, the intelligent upgrading and high-quality development of modern animal husbandry, and the resilience and sustainable development of the agricultural ecosystem, the topics of cotton phenotypic monitoring, climate resilience cotton molecular breeding, salt tolerance mechanism of saline-alkali cotton, drip irrigation and fertilization optimization, biodegradable plastic film, melon biological breeding, feed base construction, livestock and poultry breeding wastewater treatment were exchanged. More than 200 representatives from universities, scientific research institutions and international organizations from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and other countries attended the meeting to build a normalized exchange platform for China-Central Asia agricultural science and technology.
02. The Second China-Central Asia Meteorological Cooperation Forum (09-22 Urumqi opening)
on September 22, 2026, the second China-Central Asia Meteorological Cooperation Forum with the theme of "Practicing National Early Warning and Guarding Regional Development Security" opened in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It was organized by the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Meteorological Bureau and China Meteorological Administration. Co-sponsored by the Cadre Training Institute. Chen Zhenlin, Director of the China Meteorological Administration, Danala Alin Bayeva, Director of the National Hydrological Meteorological Administration of Kazakhstan, and Irizaev Nulali, Deputy Secretary-General of the China-Central Asia Mechanism, attended and delivered speeches. The World Meteorological Organization Asia and Ben Churchill, Director of the Southwest Pacific Regional Office, delivered a video speech. At the opening ceremony, it was announced that the "Memorandum of Understanding on Meteorological Science and Technology Cooperation between the China Meteorological Administration and the Hydrometeorological Bureau of the Environmental Protection Committee of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan" was signed, and the "Implementation Action Plan for the Meteorological Intelligent Early Warning Program" Mazu "for Central Asian Countries (2026-2027)", and the customized version of "Mazu" Nepal was delivered on site. The forum focused on the impact of regional climate change, the implementation of the "Meteorological Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and Climate Change Urumqi Initiative" and other topics. Officials from the meteorological and hydrological departments of five Central Asian countries including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and 2026 "One Belt One Road" meteorological visiting scholars attended the meeting to provide support for regional meteorological disaster prevention and mitigation cooperation including agriculture in arid areas.
03. High-Level Meeting on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor (09-22 Beijing)
on September 22, 2026, the high-level meeting of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor was held in Beijing to carry out high-level dialogue and government-enterprise exchanges around the theme of "promoting the expansion and efficiency of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor". More than 200 people attended the meeting, including representatives of transportation authorities, embassies and consulates, relevant international organizations and enterprises from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and other countries along the Caspian. The meeting pointed out that in the first seven months of this year, the volume of China-Europe trains across the Caspian Sea and the direct freight volume of China-Europe highways increased by more than 60% and 70% respectively compared with the same period last year, effectively driving the agglomeration of industries along the route and the improvement of people's livelihood. The meeting stressed that the current corridor still has shortcomings in railways, highways, ports and customs clearance facilitation, and there is an urgent need to improve the energy efficiency of the corridor and keep it smooth. In the name of the transportation authorities of the participating countries, the meeting jointly issued the "Initiative to Promote the Expansion and Efficiency of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor", proposing to deepen policy coordination, strengthen the coordination of policies and regulatory measures in the fields of convenient transportation, cross-border connectivity, port access, etc. Promote the compatibility of standards; strengthen the connectivity of facilities, promote the construction, transformation and upgrade of infrastructure along the route; improve transport efficiency, develop multimodal transport, reduce the whole logistics cost, optimize the transportation environment, improve the efficiency of customs clearance, and promote digitalization. The meeting also released the two results of the "Silk Road Station" Construction and Operation Service Guide and the "China-Europe Trans-Caspian Road Transport Guide". Li Yang, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Transport of China, and the heads of the transportation authorities of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan The intergovernmental international road transport cooperation documents were jointly displayed.
04. China-Kyrgyzstan Port and Inspection and Quarantine Cooperation Document (09-22)
on the afternoon of September 22, 2026, Sun Meijun, Director of the General Administration of Customs, met with visiting Kyrgyz Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and processing Industry Akunbekov and his party. In order to fully implement the important consensus of the meeting between the heads of state of China and Kyrgyzstan, the two sides conducted friendly exchanges and reached agreement on issues such as launching the mechanism of the China-Kyrgyzstan Port Management Cooperation Committee, deepening practical cooperation in smart customs and inspection and quarantine technology, and promoting smooth trade, convenience and safety. Sign cooperation documents. The above-mentioned meetings provided mechanism and document support for promoting cooperation in the field of customs clearance and agricultural product inspection and quarantine at the China-Kyrgyzstan port, and were conducive to expanding bilateral trade including agricultural products.
05. Liaoning-Central Asia Economic and Trade Cooperation Matchmaking Activities (09-24 Shenyang)
on September 24, 2026, the Liaoning-Central Asia economic and trade cooperation docking event was held in Shenyang. Representatives of politicians, business associations and enterprises from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and other countries and representatives of high-quality enterprises in Liaoning attended the meeting. The activities focus on equipment manufacturing, digital medical care, humanities education, cross-border trade and other fields, focusing on industrial investment and product production landing, cross-border logistics infrastructure and dry port project construction, agricultural planting and agricultural products intensive processing joint investment and other directions to carry out precise docking, In-depth negotiations, the interaction between Almaty Prefecture of Kazakhstan and Liaoning Province is particularly close, and the willingness to cooperate is particularly strong. The event set up a normalized and pragmatic economic and trade exchange and industrial docking platform between Liaoning and Central Asian countries, unblocked the channels of economic and trade exchanges between the two sides, and laid a solid foundation for the industrial complementarity and landing of agricultural planting, intensive processing of agricultural products and other projects.
06. International Symposium on Regional Cooperation in Transboundary Agricultural Pest Management and the Almaty Declaration (09-24)
on September 10, 2026, the International Symposium on Regional Cooperation in Cross-border Agricultural Pest Management was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It was jointly organized by the Kazakhstan Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine and the Institute of Space Information Innovation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Representatives from relevant institutions of China and Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan attended the meeting. At the meeting, representatives of all parties signed the "Almaty Declaration" to form a consensus on cooperation in cross-border pest monitoring, early warning and collaborative prevention and control. Academician Zhang Bing, vice president of the Air and Space Academy, said that Central Asia and its surrounding areas are facing the common challenge of cross-border spread of diseases and insect pests. All parties should strengthen information sharing and coordinated prevention and control. The Air and Space Academy is willing to give full play to its technological advantages in earth observation, earth big data and artificial intelligence, strengthen joint research on the occurrence mechanism of diseases and insect pests and migration and diffusion, develop regional risk assessment and early warning models, and promote monitoring data sharing and training. Participants also exchanged views on phytosanitary risks, remote sensing monitoring and biological control, and discussed joint projects and talent exchanges. The Alma-Ata Declaration proposes to integrate technologies such as ground monitoring and remote sensing, carry out joint monitoring and early warning of cross-border pests, explore the establishment of regional expert networks and information platforms, and strengthen cooperation in quarantine diagnosis, coordination of technical standards and mutual recognition of test results.
07. Tajikistan and Xinjiang Consult to Expand Export List to China (09-24, 09-25)
on September 24, 2026, a Tajik delegation led by Ruhshona Nasridzoda, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan, held talks with the heads of relevant agencies of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in Urumqi to discuss the expansion of China and Tajikistan. Economic and trade ties between Tajikistan and Xinjiang. According to the press center of the Ministry of economic development and trade of Tajikistan, the talks paid special attention to trade diversification, expanding the list of Tajikistan's export products to China, strengthening cooperation in the field of sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, product standardization and certification, and eliminating the factors restricting the further development of bilateral trade. The two sides also expressed their willingness to further develop transportation and logistics infrastructure, build and renovate transportation and logistics centers, improve freight efficiency, strengthen transportation interconnection, and attach importance to expanding investment cooperation and attracting foreign direct investment, including the implementation of "green" economy, renewable energy and other fields. After the meeting, the two sides determined the priority direction of the next cooperation and agreed on the agenda for the next meeting of the Tajikistan-Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Economic and Trade Cooperation Sub-Committee.
First export of Kyrgyzstan honey to China (09-21, 09-24)
according to reports, China has become the first export market for the "Shenzhen Silk Road" company in Chuhe Prefecture, Kyrgyzstan. The company exported about 200 kilograms of honey to China for the first time, marking the starting point for the further development of the company's export business. Company representatives said that with the increase in demand, the company has increased production, and has now realized the delivery of complete vehicle skins. In order to expand production, the company participated in a grant project, and the funds obtained were used for equipment upgrading and automation of filling, packaging and labeling processes. At present, the company plans to further increase production and open up new export markets. Kyrgyzstan's domestic honey production enterprises are expanding production, improving product quality and promoting Kyrgyzstan's honey to enter overseas markets. The producers of Kyrgyzstan's honey company said that the company has been engaged in beekeeping since 2016. With the support of the United Nations Development Programme, the company has obtained financial and expert assistance, purchased modern equipment, obtained the necessary certification, and participated in five special training sessions for its employees. The enterprise plans to further expand production and increase sales, and promote Kyrgyzstan honey as a national product in the international market.
09. Preparations for the 33rd Yangling Agricultural High-tech Conference and the 2026 Shanghai Agricultural Fair (09-23, 09-24)
on September 23, the press conference of the 33rd China Yangling Agricultural High-tech Achievements Expo and the 2026 SCO Agricultural Expo was held in Beijing. This year's Agricultural High-tech Conference will be held in Yangling Demonstration Zone, Shaanxi Province from October 25th to 29th. With the theme of "New Quality Productivity · New Future of Agriculture", more than 2000 companies from more than 50 countries and regions have signed up for the exhibition. Build a "four-in-one" pattern of indoor exhibition, field exhibition, cloud exhibition, and overseas exhibition. The field exhibition layout has more than 30 centralized exhibition points and demonstration promotion points, conference activities organized 6 key activities and 22 supporting activities. The 2026 Shanghai Agricultural Expo, held at the same time, has the theme of "deepening practical cooperation and drawing a blueprint for development". Since its establishment in 2022, it has been held four times in a row, focusing on mutually beneficial cooperation between food security and agriculture. All SCO member states have continued to participate in the exhibition. For the first time this year, the Shanghai Agricultural Expo Hall has been set up independently, the indoor exhibition area has been expanded to 15000 square meters, and 10 characteristic field exhibition areas of the whole industrial chain have been upgraded, nine dignitaries at or above the vice-ministerial level and 97 officials, experts and scholars from various countries have been identified to attend the meeting, and nine activities, including the Shanghai Cooperation Roundtable, will be held to hold a special discussion on "Agricultural Water-saving Cooperation in Arid areas.
10. Shanghai Agricultural Expo overseas exhibition and Kyrgyzstan field exhibition (09-23, 09-24)
as one of the overseas tour exhibitions of the 2026 Shanghai Agricultural Expo, the Kyrgyzstan Field Exhibition of the Shanghai Agricultural Expo will be held from October 16 to 17 in Kyrgyzstan's China-Kyrgyzstan Apple Demonstration Garden. Four major sections will be set up: apple dwarfing and dense planting technology display, commodity fruit quality promotion, plant protection technology training, and promotion of forest and fruit agricultural machinery and tools to show Kyrgyzstan fruit farmers and enterprises advanced technologies such as Chinese apple varieties, dwarfing and dense planting, intelligent water-saving irrigation, etc, at the same time, agricultural machinery products such as agricultural unmanned aerial vehicles, water-saving irrigation and other agricultural materials and soil improvement technologies have been promoted. At present, 31 representatives of Kyrgyz fruit farmers and enterprises and 7 Chinese and Kyrgyz enterprises have confirmed their participation in the meeting, promoting China's advanced apple planting technology and improved varieties to land locally and helping Kyrgyzstan's apple industry to improve quality and efficiency. Previously, this year's Shanghai Cooperation Agricultural Expo has held three overseas exhibitions in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Kazan, Russia, and Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Among them, Tashkent unveiled the Tashkent International Agricultural Exchange "Meeting Room" of the China Agricultural International Exchange Association. Set up a normalized docking platform for China-Uzbekistan agriculture; overseas touring exhibitions also drove nearly 80 domestic agricultural enterprises to go abroad, relying on the SCO agricultural technology exchange and training demonstration base, it has received more than 800 dignitaries and agricultural experts from various countries.
11. General Administration of Customs prohibits the import of animals and their products at a glance (09-24 update)
on September 24, 2026, the General Administration of Customs updated and issued the List of Animals and Their Products Prohibited from Animal Epidemic Countries/Regions. Among them, Kazakhstan forbids the entry of cloven-hoofed animals and their related products due to foot-and-mouth disease (regionalization), except for the entry of cloven-hoofed animals and their related products in Almaty, Jetsu, East Kazakhstan, Abai, Gumbur, Turkestan, Kizilorda, Almaty and Chimkent cities that meet the requirements of China's laws and regulations; meanwhile, sheep and goats forbid the entry of foot-mouth and goat; tajikistan prohibits the entry of cloven-hoofed animals and related products due to foot-and-mouth disease; Turkmenistan prohibits the entry of cloven-hoofed animals and related products due to foot-and-mouth disease.
12. China-Central Asia Cooperation Center for Desertification Control and Jujumbao, Water-saving Technology (09-24)
the China-Central Asia Cooperation Center for Desertification Prevention and Control (Ningxia) promotes the external training and export of giant fungus grass and water-saving technology, of which efficient and intelligent constant temperature water-saving technology has been applied in 9 Arab countries; Central Asian countries pay attention to the role of giant fungus grass in sand prevention and control and helping farmers increase income. Focusing on desertification prevention, water-saving agriculture and green technology training, China and Central Asian countries use this cooperation center as a platform to continue to promote cooperation. Giant fungus grass has both ecological restoration benefits and the value of helping farmers to increase income, and it is in line with the prevention and control of desertification in Central Asian countries. In line with the needs of sustainable agricultural development, ecological governance has thus become an important part of China-Central Asia agricultural cooperation.
This issue is compiled from the WeChat account 「Xinjiang Agricultural University Central Asia Research Center」. Search for 新疆农业大学中亚研究中心 in WeChat to follow.
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