China Central Asia Summit: Partnership and Development

(Dr Syed Mehboob, Karachi)

China having sincere, far-sighted and dedicated leadership is a country which is following the philosophy and policy of making partners in development, progress and prosperity journey. It never dictates nor interferes into the politics or culture of friendly countries. President Xi Jinping is a farsighted, dynamic and visionary leader and have a development mind. He gave a warm welcome to the leaders of Central Asian countries in a summit in May,2023.
This summit was held in Xian country’s ancient capital which was one of the starting points of the historical Silk Road a network of trade routes spread across Central Asia and this symbolic location reminds the past glory of Chinese civilization and the future bright outlook. Leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and China participated in this historical and very important summit. All six countries pledged to further strengthen their ties extending cooperation in various fields and join hands to boost economy. Following were the heads of the states participated

Country President/Head of state
China XI Jinping
Kazakhstan Kassym Jomart Tokayev
Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov
Uzbekistan Sharket Mirziyoyev
Tajikistan Emomali Rehmon
Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamadov

This move is part of China’s Built and Road Initiative. As of January 2023, 151 countries were listed as having signed up to the BRI. The Participant countries include almost 75% of the world population and accounts more than 50% of World’s GDP. BRI likely increase the GDP of world US$ 7,100 billion per annum by 2040. CPEC also is a project of US$ 62 billion. Experts predicted China’s BRI could reach as much as US$ 8,000 billion. Asia needs 26,000 billion US$ in infrastructure to 2030 (Asian Development Bank) and China would be the largest investor. BRI initiative is global one and spread all continents.

Area No of Countries
Sub Sharan Africa 44
Europe and Central Asia 35
East Asia and Pacific 25
Latin America and Caribbean 21
Middle East and North Africa 18
South East Asia 06

Countries from Major Blocks
Blocks No of Countries
EU 18
G20 09

These numbers clearly indicate that China is a global leader of development, peace and prosperity. China is the future of the world and efforts to stop China is harmful for whole world’s peace and development.

The summit acknowledged a profound historical connection that spans over three millennia. It presents opportunity for Central Asian countries to continue the thousand years tradition of friendship and explore novel prospects.

Kazakhstan and China signed 22 crucial documents with notable importance attributed to agreements concerning the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport corridor and the implementation of a visa free regime.

Kazakhstan holds significant importance for China, alongside other Central Asian Countries. Several factors contribute to this assessment, including the extensive shred borders, rich oil and gas reserves, abundant natural resources, and the sizeable Kazakh diaspora of nearly two million residing in China. The Chinese Language proficiency of the Kazakh leader holds significance. In the result of this summit, Cultural and humanitarian cooperation between The Republic of Kazakhstan and Peoples Republic of China and other Central Asian countries is reaching at new height.

For Kyrgyzstan the China summit brought several significant agreements with one stand out being the provision of a grant worth approximately 42 million dollars by China. This grant is allocated for the implementation of priority projects focused on technical and economic cooperation between the two countries. Additionally, an investment agreement was reached for the construction of a solar power plant in the Issyk- Kul region amounting to Euros 800 million. The communication value of the agreements for various projects is estimated at one billion USD.

Both countries agreed to establish a third checkpoint, Bedel, which will enhance trade flow by improving goods quantity plan also underway for the construction of an additional road that will connect the Kyrgyz village of Barskoon with Uchturfan country in the Xinjiang Uyghurs Autonomous Region of China. Moreover, a substantial package of an agreement was signed in the realm of humanitarian cooperation and self -power initiatives. China recognizes the process of strengthening intra-regional cooperation in central Asia and is ready to support them. This summit clearly demonstrated the power of China and indicated it as partner of development.

This summit and friendship move of China helped to build its image as soft-power, trusted friend indeed of Central Countries.
Leaders and people of Turkmenistan are also satisfied with this summit and see it as an important move for their economic development.

Indicator GDP ppp
US$ billion GDP Nominal US$ billion Population million GDP per Capita US$ Area Sq km
Kazakhstan 596.66 224.34 13.39 30,827 2.72 million
Uzbekistan 334 80 36.02 11,500 448,978
Turkmenistan 117.7 74.4 5.6 million 18,875 491,210
Krgyestan 43.32 12.31 7 million 6,250 199,951
Tajikistan 472 9.9 9.75 million 4,803 142,326
China 33.015 trillion 19.374 trillion 1.4billion 23,382 9.59 million

Dr Syed Mehboob
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