On July 1, 2024, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping will soon pay official visits to meet with Kazakh President Kassym Jomart Tokayev and Tajik President Imamali Rahman, during which they will discuss bilateral relations, areas of cooperation and other issues.[1]
Mao stressed that Kazakhstan is China’s friendly neighbor and a permanent comprehensive strategic partner, adding that in the 32 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Kazakhstan relations have shown a healthy and steady development momentum. Cooperation in various fields such as economy and trade, investment, links, energy and culture has been fruitful, Mao said, adding that this cooperation has become a model of good neighborliness and mutually beneficial cooperation among neighboring countries.[2]
In recent years, Kazakhstan has become an important actor in the regional relations of Central Asia. Kazakhstan has achieved high levels of economic and social development compared to states in the region. In macroeconomic terms, Kazakhstan has the largest economy in Central Asia and has achieved impressive levels of growth since independence in 1991.
Bilateral political relations have been friendly since Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991. Officials from China and Kazakhstan frequently meet to discuss bilateral issues. According to Kazakhstani officials, developing and maintaining good neighborly relations with China is considered a top priority. Both countries are committed to promoting political cooperation, economic development and security in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and other regional subgroups. This strong mutual support is seen as fundamental to realizing some of the most important common foreign policy objectives.
Kazakhstan supports China’s “One China” principle and in this context accepts Beijing’s official position on Taiwan and Tibet. Likewise, China closely follows and supports Kazakhstan’s accession process to the World Trade Organization (WTO). China’s willingness and ability to invest in Kazakhstan has been the main factor driving the continuous improvement in trade relations. There are impressive figures to support these economic relations. In early 2011, for example, Beijing provided a $1.7 billion loan for Kazakhstan’s National Welfare Fund (Samruk-Kazyna) and a $5 billion loan for Kazakhstan’s petrochemical industry, as well as committing to purchase an estimated $8 billion worth of Kazakhstan uranium.[3]
Astana welcomes China’s increased support and appreciates that it contributes to the diversification of the country’s economy. While bilateral trade relations have for many years focused on gas and oil exports from Kazakhstan to China, they are now diversifying. There is greater economic integration between the two countries, especially in the border regions. Given that in 2023, the two state leaders met twice in Xi’an and Beijing and made new plans and outlined a new framework for the development of China-Kazakhstan relations, bilateral cooperation is developing rapidly. In this context, Xi’s visit to Kazakhstan will strengthen bilateral relations, enrich high-quality cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and increase the prosperity of the peoples.
Xi’s visit to Tajikistan will be the first in five years. Under the strategic leadership of Xi and Rahman, China-Tajikistan relations have developed positively in recent years and political trust between the two countries has steadily strengthened. For example, in 2006, investment agreements were signed on the reconstruction of the Tajikistan-China highway, the construction of the Ozodi Tunnel, and the construction of the North-South Electricity Transmission Line. The process of building a hydroelectric power plant on the Zarafshan River was also initiated. Financing from China for these projects totalled almost $1 billion. The implementation of these agreements has brought significant benefits for Tajikistan. The comprehensive modernization of highways and construction of tunnels with China’s financial and technical assistance has enabled Tajikistan to establish a modern road network that operates year-round throughout the country for the first time in its contemporary history.
Recalling that in May 2023, the two leaders jointly announced the establishment of a China-Tajikistan future-sharing community characterized by friendship, mutual support and mutually beneficial cooperation, Mao said he looks forward to further consolidating political trust between China and Tajikistan, deepening BRI cooperation and promoting mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. Ultimately, China-Tajikistan relations are showing significant development on the basis of strategic and economic partnership. These ties have been greatly strengthened under China’s BRI. This initiative allows Tajikistan to increase Chinese investment in infrastructure projects and deepen its economic integration.
As a result, China has strong economic relations with Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. Within the scope of BRI, China is engaged in various economic cooperation with these countries, such as infrastructure projects and trade expansion. Especially in the energy sector, cooperation with Kazakhstan and Tajikistan is noteworthy. China is investing in major projects such as natural gas and oil pipelines in these countries. In addition, China cooperates with Kazakhstan and Tajikistan on security issues and shares common concerns such as combating terrorism. Relations are also maintained at the diplomatic level, strengthened through mutual visits and agreements. China also strengthens cultural and humanitarian relations with Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. Cooperation is taking place in areas such as education, cultural activities and humanitarian aid. Overall, China’s interest in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan is both economic, strategic and security-oriented, aiming to increase interaction in the region and build deeper ties with these countries.
[1] “Xi to discuss key areas of cooperation with Tajik, Kazakh presidents”, CGTN News, https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-07-01/Xi-to-discuss-key-areas-of-cooperation-with-Tajik-Kazakh-presidents-1uSPBTYAePK/p.html, (Date of Access: 01.07.2024).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Richard Rousseau. (2013). “Kazakhstan: Continuous Improvement or Stalemate in Its Relations with China?” Strategic Analysis, 37(1), 40–51. doi:10.1080/09700161.2013.737599.
