Astana (AsiaNews) - After last week's second summit in Astana, in the ‘Central Asia-China’ format that followed the 2023 summit in Xi'an, many commentators are trying to understand how the ‘eternal neighbourhood’ relationship, as defined in the agreement signed by Xi Jinping and the five Central Asian presidents, will evolve further. Kazakh political scientist Andrej Čebotarev stressed that ‘this is the first international legal document signed by the six heads of state.’
Beijing is clearly strengthening its position in the region step by step, seeking to organically integrate all of Central Asia into the One Belt, One Road project, but expressions of ‘great friendship’ may hide various risks, according to experts.
Meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in the Akorda presidential palace, Xi Jinping recalled that “the Chinese people have never harmed the Kazakh people” and that even the current geopolitical upheavals do not affect the good relations between the two countries.
The Chinese president solemnly affirmed that “China will never impose any political conditions on cooperation with Kazakhstan and neighbouring countries”, appreciating the support for Beijing's peace initiatives and welcoming Astana's economic successes.
Relations with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, moreover, are developing primarily through Kazakhstan, for geographical and strategic reasons.
At the end of the talks, the heads of state signed a total of 24 intergovernmental documents and various other agreements in the fields of energy, customs, agriculture, medicine, scientific research and much more. An industrial and project meeting was held in parallel, at which companies from the countries involved concluded 58 trade and investment agreements worth over $24 billion.
The President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, proposed organising a broad-based trade platform called the “Electronic Silk Road” and offered to open a regional centre for industrial standards in Tashkent to certify exports in line with Chinese requirements.
To this end, he pointed to the need to create a system of industrial centres, technology parks and logistics hubs capable of attracting investment and technology from China.
Kyrgyz leader Sadyr Žaparov then outlined the six priorities for regional relations with China: transit and transport guidelines, energy (including “green” energy), rare earth processing, industrial development, transport companies and agriculture.
Emomali Rakhmon of Tajikistan also emphasised the importance of the energy sector, agreeing with the other needs identified by Žaparov and adding Tajikistan's urgent need to protect glaciers, proposing to open a specialised centre in Dushanbe.
The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdymukhamedov, declared his willingness to discuss the diversification of natural gas supplies to China, noting the importance of “expanding the geography and volumes of electricity” in the region. In addition to transport routes, he affirmed the need to develop joint programmes in the fields of artificial intelligence, space and satellite research and digital technology.
Xi Jinping then noted the importance of cooperation in military programmes for security guarantees, in a common fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism.
The six leaders all declared themselves opposed to the use of force to resolve conflicts, discussing the most sensitive measures behind closed doors. In addition to the ongoing wars, all forms of ‘trade wars involving tariffs and sanctions’ were condemned.
China then promised a loan of 1.5 billion yuan (over 200 million dollars) to all five Central Asian countries, as well as quotas for citizens wishing to receive adequate professional training in China. Central Asia intends to support China against pressure from America and other world powers, seeking to maintain its central role in the global balance of power.
