China-Central Asia Relations

At a U.S. House of Representatives hearing yesterday, members of Congress asked Biden administration officials about a range of issues related to economic relations with China: export licenses granted by the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS); China's economic coercion; MFN treatment for China in the event

China's Customs recently announced that dried melon from Uzbekistan is now allowed to be sold in China, as more agricultural products from the nation are expected to be allowed in the near future.

China's Customs agency announced that it would allow imports of Uzbek French beans, starting in October. With Uzbekistan's exports to China growing, it is expected that more agricultural products will be allowed to be exported to China.

During their meeting last week, members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) vowed to increase cooperation in trade, investment and currency settlement.

After the United States withdrew its armed forces from Afghanistan, there was speculation that China might try to exert its influence there, both politically and economically. In terms of the economy, one sector with potential was the mining of critical minerals, and one key mineral was lithium, which is important

Last week, Chinese officials said that China will lower tariffs on most Afghan imports to zero, as part of an effort to increase imports from the nation. They also mentioned plans to expand the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to the country as well.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently met with high level officials of five Central Asian countries, and discussed further cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), finance, trade, energy, and other areas, as well as railways connecting China and Europe.