China’s trade with Central Asia grew in the first half of 2026, led by strong gains with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, while unexplained declines in Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan highlighted increasingly uneven regional trade patterns.

Uzbekistan is pursuing alternative trade routes through China to Pakistan while continuing to support long-term plans for a trans-Afghan transport corridor.

China’s trade with Central Asia grew in the first half of 2026, led by strong gains with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, while unexplained declines in Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan…