Bishkek, Nov. 11, 2026 /Kabar/. The 2nd International cultural cooperation and friendship forum took place in Karamay city, located in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. The event brought together media representatives from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and other nations.
The forum was designed to showcase the unique Karamay city, highlighting its industrial potential, tourism opportunities, and cultural heritage. Today, the city is home to approximately 500,000 people. As noted during the proceedings, Karamay is a place where vast oil wealth lies beneath the surface, while the tourism sector flourishes above ground.
Media representatives from Central Asian countries emphasized the importance of international cooperation, the exchange of expertise in the tourism industry, and the development of joint media projects. In the modern era, information exchange has become a vital tool for strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between nations.
As part of the forum, participants explored the operations of local oil companies and planned visits to popular tourist destinations, sites that have also garnered interest from the film industry and international production companies.
Speaking at the forum, Khalida Ergesheva, Deputy Director of Kyrgyz National News Agency Kabar, highlighted three key areas for cooperation: oil, travel, and sister-city relations. According to her, these areas can serve as a foundation for strengthening friendship and developing partnerships with Karamay.
"Karamay is one of China’s prominent oil and gas hubs, a city synonymous with industrial development, modern technology, and significant economic opportunity. Many nations are interested not only in Karamay’s industrial expertise but also in its achievements within the oil and gas sector, petrochemicals, and scientific and technological advancement. Exchanging experience, establishing business ties, and fostering economic cooperation can unlock new prospects for many countries," she noted.
Addressing the city’s tourism potential, Khalida Ergesheva emphasized that Karamay today represents more than just industry and economics; it also offers new avenues for developing tourism, cultural exchange, and international cooperation.
"Kyrgyzstan recently took the top spot in the 'Solo Adventure Travel 2026' ranking by an international travel platform. Our country is increasingly capturing the interest of travelers, thanks to its stunning natural landscapes, renowned hospitality, and favorable conditions for tourism. Large-scale international events, such as the World Nomad Games, have further fueled interest in Kyrgyzstan," she added.
Forum participants agreed that economic cooperation serves as the bedrock for development, travel enables people to better understand one another, and sister-city ties transform individual interactions into long-lasting friendships.
Collaboration between cities, enterprises, universities, youth groups, and cultural representatives creates new opportunities for implementing joint projects, exchanging ideas, and building mutual trust.
As the event participants noted, the forum in Karamay is becoming yet another platform for fostering international dialogue, strengthening ties between countries, and expanding cooperation in the fields of economy, tourism, culture, and education.
