China plans to deploy a constellation of more than 1,000 remote sensing satellites to monitor Central Asia, according to Chinese state media outlets Xinhua and People's Daily.

The first batch, consisting of five satellites from the Tianwu Constellation, is expected to be launched into orbit by the end of 2026.

Joint regional project aims to strengthen environmental monitoring amid data concerns

The project is being presented as a joint initiative with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. According to the official announcement, it is designed to monitor environmental changes and help mitigate the impact of natural disasters and climate change.

However, remote sensing satellites are also known as "eyes in the sky" because of their ability to collect a wide range of data for both civilian and military purposes. The satellites will be owned by China, and all data collected will be processed within China, while Central Asian countries will receive only limited access to that information.

Beijing expands influence in AI, water management, and infrastructure across Central Asia

Kai-Fu Lee, founder and CEO of Beijing-based startup 01.AI, which is backed by Alibaba and Xiaomi, hosted a strategic seminar for the Kazakh government attended by most cabinet ministers and senior officials.

The seminar was aimed at advising policymakers on selecting, implementing, and deploying artificial intelligence models. Central Asia has become an increasingly competitive battleground between US and Chinese AI models seeking regional dominance.

Kai-Fu Lee also serves on the Artificial Intelligence Council of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, advising the president on AI-related matters.

Meanwhile, Beijing Zhongguancun Tongli Technology Service Co., Ltd. signed an agreement with the Astana AI Film Festival Foundation to jointly finance, produce, and distribute AI-generated media content, according to Kazakhstan's Kazinform news agency.

In water resource management, China continues to deepen cooperation with Central Asian countries.

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation signed an agreement with the Chinese Embassy in Astana to launch a joint degree program between the Kazakh National University of Water Management and Irrigation and North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power. The initiative will allow Kazakh water management specialists to study in China, according to DKNews.kz.

The agreement also includes the establishment of a joint training center.

In Uzbekistan, officials from the Ministry of Water Resources met with China's Beijing Hrunan Technology Co., Ltd. to discuss modernizing water management infrastructure in the Jizzakh region, according to the country's official UzA news agency.

Kazakhstan

The governor of Kazakhstan's Abai Region announced the signing of memorandums of understanding with China's DDS Group to establish an industrial city with investments totaling $1.5 billion.

Officials also revealed an agreement with China's Jiachen Group to build an aluminum smelter with an investment of $1 billion.

Details of both agreements, including financing arrangements and ownership structures, have not yet been disclosed.

Separately, state-controlled China Nonferrous Metal Mining (CNMC) established a new subsidiary in Kazakhstan under the name GLY Minerals Ltd.

Given the scale of CNMC's existing operations in Kazakhstan, the new company is widely expected to oversee another major project.

One CNMC subsidiary is currently building a $1.56 billion copper smelter in the Abai Region, while another holds a 70% stake in a copper mining company in the Aktobe Region, where CNMC plans to invest an additional $600 million.

Kyrgyzstan

State-owned Eldik Bank will borrow up to 1 billion yuan, equivalent to just under $150 million, from the China Development Bank, according to Economist.kg.

The bank intends to use the funding to support small and medium-sized enterprises operating in infrastructure, green energy, manufacturing, and agriculture.

The report added that the agreement is significant because it provides long-term financing for local entrepreneurs, helping them modernize their production facilities.

Turkmenistan

Three Turkmen universities have signed agreements with China's Ministry of Education to launch Chinese language programs in Turkmenistan, conduct joint research and educational activities, strengthen cultural ties, and establish a unified education, culture, and information platform, according to Turkmen Portal.

At the same time, China's ambassador to Ashgabat awarded ten scholarships to Turkmen students to pursue higher education in China, according to the Turkmen government's official website.

China has also launched a freight rail service linking Qinghai Province in central China with the Balkan Region of Turkmenistan.

The region serves as a key logistics hub for transporting goods to Iran, Turkey, and European markets, according to Orient.tm.

The inaugural train, carrying 55 shipping containers, is expected to complete the journey in 14 to 15 days.

Uzbekistan

The Uzbekistan Textile and Garment Industry Association signed a memorandum of understanding with China's Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps to promote the long-term development of mutually beneficial partnerships, according to UzDaily.uz.