President Xi Jinping’s 2013 speech at Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan has an indispensable importance. XI Jinping highlighted the initiative of the historical project of the Silk Road while describing the crucial role of Central Asian Countries in this historical project of the Silk Road and economic development. China’s President advocated the enhancement of rail and road links for the smooth flow of transportation along with economic cooperation among the states. Moreover, he addressed the need for economic integration and development among the Eurasian states and citizens. For this development, President Xi Jinping presented five points which are; improvement of policy communication, enhancement of road connectivity, trade cooperation, betterment of monetary circulation and establishment of people-to-people communication.
Furthermore, to achieve its economic goals, China aims to improve its relations with Central Asian countries to broaden its access to Europe. On the other side, Central Asian countries aim to develop and improve their infrastructure and economic stability.The Central Asian region has problems of extremism, drug trafficking, terrorism and other political and institutional problems. Therefore, along with economic development, these countries aim to address their security concerns and ensure regional stability and cooperation through the help of China. In return, China ensures its utter economic reach into Europe and for this, these countries are very significant.
Furthermore, on a broader level, the economic integration of China and Central Asian countries in the project of BRI is very crucial for the global GDP. In this giant economic cooperation, China, the world’s 2nd ranked GDP, is 12,237,700 million dollars and the central Asian countries have GDPs of 265 billion dollars.
Furthermore, in this historical project, more than 100 states and organizations signed 118 agreements in which China, the main stakeholder invested 60 billion dollars with the goal of economic cooperation and connectivity among the states through land and sea. Moreover, under the giant economic project of BRI, every participating state has the opportunity to grow economically. For instance, the railroad project of China- Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, ensures access of Uzbekistan to part of the Pacific and Persian Gulf and will create various trade opportunities with Asia-Pacific economies. Likewise, another worth mentioning participant is Tajikistan, the first to sign an agreement with China under BRI. Like other states, It wants to improve its cooperation and seeks development, infrastructure, agriculture, science and technology. Adding more to this Tajikistan has enhanced its powerplant, power grid and overall transportation mechanism.
Similarly, Kazakhstan is another major participant and promoter of the BRI, has great importance for China due to its strategic partnership with China. Both have a total of 51 projects worth of 128 million dollars. These projects will create thousands of job opportunities and bring economic stability. Moreover, Chinese companies are keen to create investment projects and strengthen the industrialization of Kazakhstan.
According to the statistics, total trade between China and Kazakhstan was $31.17 billion in 2022. Not just that both states have been cooperating in 52 various projects with the value of 212b dollars. Moreover, the economic bond is not limited to only certain fields rather it covers digital, scientific and technological areas as well.
Kazakhstan, as a major partner of China, now aiming to be the economic hub of Central Asia and for this purpose, it looking forward to developing a digital market for Eurasia. Moreover under the Kazakhstan national sustainable development strategy of 2040. Its digital program (Taza Koom) is the most essential aspect of all and aims for digital transformation. Along with its digital strategy, China also exhibits its willingness to spend on other projects, like China- KyrgyzstanUzbekistan railway project, and establishing a free trade zone and logistics centre to promote and enhance connectivity and trade utility.
The state of Uzbekistan is another worth discussing member state in the BRI project. This project ensures the promotion and respect it foreign policy, for instance, respect for state sovereignty, since Uzbekistan is a landlocked state, the project of BRI will connect Uzbek. state with global investors. promotes and improve its infrastructure. Like other nations, Uzbekistan also agreed and signed 115 deals with China, which are worth $23 million. Their deals mainly incorporate cooperation in electric energy, oil extraction, chemical formation, architecture etc.
Similarly, Turkmenistan is another significant participant in the BRI project. The status is slightly different from other Central Asian states due to its unstable economic condition and terror-driven neighbour Afghanistan. Interestingly, it was the only state among Central Asian countries that had not joined the World Trade Organization. However, this project will bring a breakthrough in the economic condition of Turkmenistan and provide opportunities for foreign investors in Turkmenistan.
Additionally, back in the year 2018, Turkmenistan opened Turkmenbashi port in the Caspian seas, which serves as a point of connectivity between Asian and European countries with the assistance of BRI. The port will likely produce around 20 million tons per year along with service of cargo which could be useful for China, the Middle East and Europe.
Moreover, another reason for high significance for China is its export of natural gas to China. Turkmenistan is China’s biggest gas supplier happened due to the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline project. so, BRI projects are of high importance for China and all other participating countries, not only this Turkmenistan also. Developed a tourist zone part of the (Avaza project) on the coast of the Caspian Sea, which is another economic opportunity for Turk. To facilitate Chinese tourists, therefore, the BRI strengthened the unstable economies and diversified the economic opportunities.
To conclude, all the Central Asian states are advocating the historical initiative of the project of BRI, All these countries are active participants, and they aim for various advantages from this project, for instance, they can improve their national economies, strengthen connectivity with other regional states attract foreign investments, facilitate their citizens, ensure regional stability and security and create a stable political enjoinment in both nationally and regionally.
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/ https://eurasianet.org/central-asia-new-trade-deals-signed-on-sidelines-of-briforum
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?end=2023&locations=C N&start=1960
https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-and-kyrgyzstan-bilateral-trade-andfuture-outlook
Interned at ISSI think tank.
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