Dr. Gavkhar Sultanova, Head of the Center for Economic Diplomacy at IAIS and Associate Professor at UWED, took part in the International Scientific Conference “High-Quality Cooperation and Development between China and Central Asia in the Context of Regional and Country Studies”, held on 8 November at Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics in Hangzhou, China. The event, organised within the framework of the Eighth Conference on the Socio-Economic Development of Central Asia, brought together scholars and practitioners to discuss the current state and future prospects of cooperation between China and the countries of the region.

Delivering a presentation entitled “Digital Economy and Cross-Border E-Commerce as New Drivers of Cooperation between China and Central Asia”, she outlined the key directions of digital transformation in Central Asia and underscored how digital platforms, cross-border e-commerce and fintech solutions are becoming new channels for trade, investment and connectivity between China and the region. Dr. Sultanova emphasised that the development of digital infrastructure, harmonisation of regulations and the expansion of digital skills are essential preconditions for unlocking the full potential of economic cooperation in the era of the digital economy.

As part of the programme, the conference participants also visited several leading Chinese companies – SUPCOM, Hikvision, and the fintech company Hundsun. These study visits offered first-hand insights into advanced technological solutions in the fields of information technology, digital security and modern finance. The exposure to China’s innovation ecosystem complemented the discussions held during the conference and underscored the importance of practical experience exchange between China and the Central Asian states.