Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for closer security coordination between Central Asia and China, warning that expanding trade and infrastructure links are exposing the region to increasingly sophisticated cross-border threats.
Speaking at a meeting of interior ministers and public security officials under the “Central Asia-China” framework in Astana, Tokayev said economic cooperation depended on stability and stronger coordination between law enforcement agencies.
He highlighted the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route as an increasingly important link in Eurasian logistics, particularly as global supply chains adapt to geopolitical tensions. At the same time, he warned that rising cargo volumes increase the risks of smuggling, narcotics trafficking and the illegal movement of weapons.
Those risks are becoming more pronounced as Central Asia expands its role as a transit corridor between Asia and Europe, increasing exposure to organised criminal networks operating across borders.
Tokayev said transnational crime was becoming more technologically advanced, with cybercrime evolving into a highly profitable global industry causing billions of dollars in economic losses. Criminal groups, he said, increasingly use digital platforms to coordinate operations, launder illicit proceeds and launch attacks that are difficult to contain within national jurisdictions.
The meeting focused on regional security, cybercrime, extremism, drug trafficking and other cross-border threats. Tokayev also raised concerns about artificial intelligence, warning that the technology could become an “information weapon” in the hands of destructive groups, amplifying digital risks and complicating efforts to counter them.
Among the measures proposed was closer institutional coordination between law enforcement agencies, including the integration of databases to accelerate information sharing and improve responses to transnational crime.
The Astana talks build on agreements reached during the first meeting of interior and public security ministers in the “Central Asia-China” format, held in the Chinese city of Lianyungang in September 2024. Participants agreed to establish a platform for regular exchanges between law enforcement agencies, with cooperation since expanding into training and professional development.
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