Attendees to the 8th Seminar on Central Asia Economic and Social Development pose for a group photo in Hangzhou on Nov 8. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]

The 8th Seminar on Central Asia Economic and Social Development, held alongside the International Academic Seminar on High-Quality China–Central Asia Cooperation and Development from the Perspective of Area Studies, took place at Zhejiang University of Finance & Economics in Hangzhou on Nov 8.

The event brought together more than 60 experts and scholars from government, business, and academia from both China and Central Asia. Participants included representatives from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, as well as domestic institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing Language and Culture University, East China Normal University, and Northwest University. More than 200 faculty members and students attended the conference in person.

In her opening remarks, Zheng Yali, vice-president of ZUFE, said the university has been aligning with China–Central Asia cooperation strategies. ZUFE has co-founded the Central Asia Research Institute with the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and established the China–Kazakhstan "Silk Road College" with Almaty Management University. The university has enrolled more than 700 international students from Central Asia, making it one of the most popular destinations for students from the region.

Aldark Bessenbay, vice-president of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University in Kazakhstan, said his university has deepened exchanges with Chinese counterparts through faculty and student programs, cultural cooperation, and joint initiatives such as Confucius Institutes and Luban Workshops. He expressed hope to further strengthen academic collaboration and contribute to closer people-to-people ties between China and Kazakhstan.

During the plenary session, Chinese and foreign scholars presented reports on topics such as foreign-related legal services under the Belt and Road Initiative, digital governance of non-traditional security in Central Asia, and practical models for cultural exchange. The discussions offered new insights and practical approaches for advancing area studies and regional cooperation.

Upholding the goal of promoting cross-border, interdisciplinary, and cross-sector dialogue, the conference served as an open and diverse platform for scholars, experts, policymakers, and business professionals from China and Central Asia to deepen academic exchange, enhance educational cooperation, and promote mutual understanding.