China and Central Asian Countries Continue to Deepen Cooperation to Open a New Silk Road
The Central Asian countries share a close geographical relationship with western China. Historically, the ancient Silk Road once connected China with these nations, establishing a long-standing cultural and economic link. Today, these countries hold significant geopolitical importance for China’s ongoing economic growth, expansion of foreign trade, and safeguarding of its international interests. Since the early 1990s, when the five Central Asian states gained independence, bilateral cooperation between China and the region has continuously developed, showing a trend of rapid progress and mutual benefit.
In sectors such as oil and gas exploration, pipeline infrastructure, and energy development, China and Central Asian countries have engaged in fruitful collaboration. In recent years, driven by global and domestic economic needs, the scope of their economic partnership has expanded beyond traditional resource-based industries. Cooperation in areas like investment, large-scale infrastructure projects, and technology has deepened, leading to notable achievements and new opportunities in economic relations.
According to statistical data, the total trade volume between China and Central Asian countries increased nearly 13 times during the first decade of this century. Following the global financial crisis, China's strong economic performance helped restore trade between China and Central Asian nations. In the first half of 2010, trade between China and Kazakhstan saw a 67% year-on-year increase, with expectations that bilateral trade would return to pre-crisis levels by the end of the year. The surge in Central Asian exports to China was a key feature of 2010, highlighting the positive impact of China's economic growth on the region.
Muzabalova, deputy director of the General Institute of Kazakhstan, emphasized that China's impressive economic performance has had a significant and positive influence on Central Asia's overall development. As a major regional and global economy, China's recovery from the crisis has served as a model for others. Currently, China is Kazakhstan's third-largest trading partner and the second-largest for Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Osbanov, a representative of the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Almaty, highlighted that China's financial support of approximately $13.5 billion over the past two years for critical infrastructure projects in Kazakhstan played a crucial role in helping the country overcome the economic crisis.
Today, Central Asian countries, particularly Kazakhstan, are striving to build new economic models and reduce dependence on resource-based industries, aiming for broader economic diversification. Recent media reports in Kazakhstan noted that China's continuous domestic reforms and shift toward high-tech industries offer great potential for Sino-Kazakh cooperation. Akhkalov, counselor at the Kazakhstan Embassy in China, pointed out that there are vast development prospects for China and Kazakhstan in agriculture, renewable energy, high-tech sectors, and border area construction.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) serves as a vital platform for economic cooperation between China and Central Asian countries. China has pledged to provide more than $10 billion in benefits to member states, including Central Asian nations, under the SCO framework. Professor Seroyeshkin, an expert on China at the Kazakhstan Institute of General Studies, noted that China's cooperative approach, free from political conditions, holds strong appeal for its Central Asian neighbors.
Safirov, deputy director of the Directorate General of Tajikistan, stated that with China's assistance, key strategic projects such as the North Highway and the North-South power transmission lines have been completed. These initiatives have brought tangible benefits to Tajikistan through its participation in the SCO. Safarov added that the pragmatic and mutually beneficial economic cooperation between China and Central Asian countries will significantly promote regional development and ensure lasting peace in the area.
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