China-Central Asian Countries Joint Endeavor on the Digital Silk Road Basis, Challenges and Paths

The Digital Silk Road jointly built by China and Central Asian countries is of great significance to the Belt and Road Initiative and the modernization of Central Asian countries. Central Asian countries have great potential for the development of digital economy, and many countries have introduced digital economic development strategies. The development of e-commerce is in the ascendant, and the ability of e-government is constantly improving, but there is a wide gap among these countries in the development of digital economy. China and Central Asian countries have good foundations for building the Digital Silk Road: the two sides have established relatively stable and lasting mutual trust relationship, put forward digital economic development strategy and established multi-level cooperation mechanism. However, the two sides also face many challenges in their cooperation as Central Asia is weak in digital infrastructure and is short of digital talents. Moreover, cyber security and geopolitical risks are increasing as well. China can conduct cooperation with Central Asian countries on the basis of their national conditions to build the Digital Silk Road in digital infrastructure construction, digital governance, e-commerce and digital talent training.