Recently, at the Luban Workshop training area in Kazakhstan, students have been diligently practicing vehicle equipment maintenance under the guidance of local teachers.

This 700-square-meter Kazakhstan Luban Workshop, which features four major training areas, began trial operations in December last year. During an inspection, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed his desire for more such workshops in Kazakhstan.

At the end of 2022, the first Luban Workshop in Central Asia commenced operations in Tajikistan, making significant contributions to the development of vocational training in the country. In 2023, a Luban Workshop was established in Uzbekistan, with similar projects currently under construction in Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.

These workshops act as technical hubs that promote shared development among countries and serve as vital bridges for cultural exchange and strengthening people-to-people connections between China and Central Asian nations.

From the establishment of Luban Workshops to cultural centers, the co-production of films, translations of books, and joint archaeological projects, China and Central Asian countries are continually expanding cooperation in education, culture, tourism, and local exchanges.

In 2023, Turkmenistan celebrated its "Year of Chinese Culture" with a series of cultural performances in its capital, Ashgabat. Deputy Minister of Culture of Turkmenistan Nursahet Shirimov noted that these events allowed the people of Turkmenistan to fully appreciate the unique charm of Chinese culture and art.

This year, designated as China's "Kazakhstan Tourism Year," features a variety of exciting activities, including "ethnic village" exhibitions, handicraft fairs, and food festivals. Notably, since last November, China and Kazakhstan have implemented mutual visa exemptions, further facilitating personal exchanges.

Kairat Batyrbayev, executive director of the Eurasian International Studies Association, remarked that the deepening of cultural exchanges between Kazakhstan and China will continuously enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

In Central Asian countries, enthusiasm for Chinese culture is steadily increasing. There are currently 13 Confucius Institutes and 24 Confucius Classrooms, and over 60 pairs of friendly provinces, states, and cities have been established between China and Central Asian countries.

Batyrbayev believes that in the future, cultural exchanges and cooperation between Central Asian countries and China will expand significantly, fostering deeper mutual understanding and providing a strong impetus for the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations.