On January 25, 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping, held an online summit that Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan leaders have participated in. The Summit was realized in the context of the 30th year of the establishment of official relations. On the other hand, 2023 is the eve of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). At that point, it can be said that this summit is very important for BRI Project, which is China’s most important tool for foreign policy. Because China wants to strengthen her relations with the Central Asian countries.
China wants to develop the relations with the Central Asian states in a multilateral sense, based on economy and culture primarily. The real aim of the summit is that. In his speech, Xi has put five recommendations for the development of the Chinese-Central Asian relations.[1] The first one is the development of neighboring relations. In that article, it was suggested that friendship, in the context of intimacy, mutual benefit and inclusion, the needed mechanisms should be established and the development of the relations. Besides, the color revolutions were also highlighted. Chinese President also clarified that they are against of intervention of internal affairs of the other countries.
Secondly, it was recommended that the economic relations should be developed, and the ties should be strengthened. Thus, Xi claimed that China is ready for open her markets to Central Asia and until 2030, the trade volume should be increased to the 70 billion dollars between the countries. In that sense, he claimed that they will establish unimpeded corridors for the escalate the process between the countries and they will accelerate the Railway Project between China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan.
On the other hand, the third recommendation referring to the relations is shaped in terms of security. In that sense, it was highlighted that the cooperation on common terrorism should be deepen radicalism, separatism and cyber dangers, and the regional safety net should be strengthened. Thus, Afghanistan is the neighbor and the partner of both China and Central Asian states. In that process, Xi claimed that they demanded the establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan with dialogue and the country should be clarified from terrorist groups.
The fourth recommendation in the speech of Xi is that the cultural sense of the relations should be developed as well. Thus, change enriches the cultures. For that aim, Chinese President has suggested the opening of cultural centers mutually and clarified that they are ready for making the Central Asia as a favorite travel destination for the Chinese people. In addition, China has declared that they will grant scholarship to the young people of Central Asia in five years under the Confucius Institutes. Lastly, Chinese President has expressed they will grant 500 billion USDs for Central Asian states and they are making initiatives for sustainable development under the United Nations (UN) and they will give seminars on different issues from health to agriculture.
The explanations that Xi made is aiming to deepen the relations between China and Central Asia. It is obvious that Central Asian countries also demand to develop the relations with China in terms of the neighborhood. Because, the big percent of the Central Asian states are applying pragmatic and balancing, multilateral policies. At that point, the gains of the states in the region would increase with developing relations with such a strong state. Moreover, the economic advantages of China are charming the states of the region.
Kazakhstan, who participated the summit that China held, is one of the most important powers of the region and is interesting with her geopolitical importance. Thus, China, who is opening to the World with BRI, perceives Kazakhstan as the gate, which is opening to the West. The principal foreign policy of Kazakhstan, which is multilateralism, is supporting the establishment of good relations with China. During the summit, Kazakhstan administration also clarified their will on developing the relations based on good neighborhood and mutual benefit.[2]
Kyrgyzstan is another important country for China. Because the Bishkek Administration wants to utilize the gains from the BRI Project. In that context, Bishkek is mentioning that the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway should be one of the important lines in the region.[3] Thus, while Kyrgyzstan aiming to be a main country between China and Uzbekistan, she could also reach to the West over Caspian Sea by using the Central Line.
Tashkent Administration has replied to the Chinese recommendations with a suggestion and suggested the establishment of “Intellectual Silk Road.” In that sense, they claimed that they are ready for development of the relations in different domains, such as health, agriculture, food security, decreasing of the poverty, environmentally friendly development, and security.[4]
The bilateral relations were praised by Tajikistan during the summit. In addition, the intention was expressed to continue the constructive dialogue between the two countries and to enrich the strategic partnership, both bilateral and multilateral. Stating that mutual trade should be increased, the Dushanbe administration argued that a suitable environment should be created for mutually beneficial investments.[5]
The Turkmenistan administration is able to support healthy relations with China. He stated that cooperation between countries contributes to global peace and stability. However, Turkmenistan stated that the interaction created by the Great Silk Road passing through the lands of Central Asia played an important role in the development of the world.[6]
As a result, China, and Central Asian countries; It wants to strengthen its relations by acting within the framework of mutual interest, good neighborliness, and regional stability. This is in line with the policies of China, which wants to become a global power. At the same time, it can be said that Central Asian states that want to cross the borders of the region they are in, by getting closer to China, aim to increase their economic gains, establish regional cooperation, prosperity, stability, and security, and further strengthen the versatility, which is one of the main principles of their foreign policies.
[1] “Full Text: Remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Virtual Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between China and Central Asian Countries”, Xinhuanet, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/20220125/3227dd74149e43bf89507f382e1451b4/c.html, (Date of Accession: 05.01.2022).
[2] Assel Satubaldina, “Unprecedented Dynamism, High Level of Trust and Good Neighborliness: Tokayev on Kazakhstan’s Ties with China”, The Astana Times, https://astanatimes.com/2022/01/unprecedented-dynamism-high-level-of-trust-and-good-neighborliness-tokayev-on-kazakhstans-ties-with-china/, (Date of Accession: 05.01.2022).
[3] “Sadyr Japarov: Railway from China to Central Asia is a Flagship Project”, 24 KG, https://24.kg/english/221700_Sadyr_Japarov_Railway_from_China_to_Central_Asia_is_a_flagship_project/, (Date of Accession: 05.01.2022).
[4] “Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s remarks at Central Asia-China Online Summit”, The Tashkent Times, http://tashkenttimes.uz/national/8249-shavkat-mirziyoyev-s-remarks-at-central-asia-china-online-summit, (Date of Accession: 05.01.2022).
[5] “President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon Attends First Central Asia-China Summit”, Khovar, https://eng.khovar.tj/2022/01/president-of-tajikistan-emomali-rahmon-attends-first-central-asia-china-summit/, (Date of Accession: 05.01.2022).
[6] “The President of Turkmenistan Took Part in the High-Level Meeting “China-Central Asia””, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/news/2982, (Date of Accession: 05.01.2022).
