Xi Jinping forges fresh alliances alongside the historic Silk Road, focusing on Central Asia.
With a burst of sunshine illuminating the ancient streets of Xi'an, six pomegranate trees stood tall, their branches laden with fruit - a symbol of the growing ties between China and Central Asia. These trees, planted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders from Central Asia, marked the beginning of an era - the China-Central Asia era.
The land rich in history bore witness to the first "China-Central Asia" summit in 2023. The countries united to create a closer community, sharing a common future, as pledged in the Xi'an Declaration signed by Xi Jinping and the leaders of the five Central Asian nations.
This union was no random encounter. It was the fruit of years of friendly relations and strategic cooperation, rooted in the shared belief that together, they could pave a new path for good neighborliness and mutually beneficial cooperation.
The 2023 Xi'an summit was not just a one-time event. It was the inauguration of regular meetings between China and Central Asia, taking place every two years, happening alternately in China and Central Asia. This commitment to unite and collaborate was a significant step forward. It was more than just diplomatic maneuvers; it was the signing of a pact for closer ties.
The following year, the eagle flew west to Astana, Kazakhstan, for the second summit. The leaders gathered to discuss further enhancing cooperation in trade, security, and communication at the heart of Eurasia.
Building a Strong Foundation
The China-Central Asia partnership was not built overnight. It was meticulously crafted over time, beginning in 2013 when Xi Jinping, in his very first visit to Central Asia after becoming the Chinese President, emphasized that developing friendly cooperative relations with Central Asia was a priority of China's foreign policy.
Since then, Xi Jinping has visited Central Asia eight times, deepening bilateral relations as well as creating a network of cooperation under frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia.
Today, Central Asia is the only region in the world where each country is a strategic partner of China.
The Belt and Road Initiative played a crucial role in this evolution, connecting Asia and Europe via the Caspian Sea. The multidimensional network of roads, railways, airlines, and pipelines became a bustling artery, creating opportunities for trade and cultural exchange.
Xi Jinping viewed Central Asia as a key partner in modern cooperation under the Belt and Road. The ancient Silk Road set the pace for active trade and cultural exchanges between China and Central Asia, but Xi Jinping saw the modern Silk Road as an opportunity to create even stronger ties.
The leaders' personal rapport further strengthened the ties. They saw each other as old friends and dear brothers, connecting not just their countries but their people. This bond was evident during the Xi'an summit in 2023, where the leaders planting the pomegranate trees marked the birth of a new family, the China-Central Asia family.
Building Together
The China-Central Asia partnership was not one-sided. It was a collaboration, a collective effort towards a mutual goal. The agreement to restore Khiva, an ancient outpost on the Silk Road, was a testament to this collaboration. Restored with the help of Chinese specialists, Khiva was given a new lease on life, its charm enhanced for future generations to admire.
The joint archaeological research carried out by Chinese and Central Asian scholars further strengthened the ties. This research expanded across the region, from the ancient city of Rakhat in Kazakhstan to the ancient Buddhist temple at Krasnaya Rechka settlement in Kyrgyzstan.
The friendship between China and Central Asia has a long history, reaching back over 2100 years, to the time of Zhang Qian, an envoy of the Han Dynasty. Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of maintaining this traditional friendship and building a cohesive future together.
The establishment of the Kazakhstani branch of Beijing University of Chinese Language and Culture is a shining example of this effort. The branch, inaugurated during the visit of Xi Jinping to Kazakhstan, aims to strengthen mutual understanding between the two peoples, particularly among the younger generations.
As the sun dipped below the ancient city walls, it left the pomegranate trees in a golden glow. The future of China and Central Asia hung in the balance, and the people held their breath, eagerly awaiting the fruit that those trees would bear.
Sources:1. https://www.xxinhuanet.com/english/2023-05/19/c_136961316.htm2. https://www.saisbeijing.org/china-central-asia-summit-2023-what-do-the-participating-states-anticipate-from-the-event/3. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-centralasia/china-vows-to-enhance-cooperation-with-central-asia-at-virtual-summit-idUSKBN27W03I4. https://www.shanghaiobserver.com/en/index.php/china-central-asia-summit-2023-what-can-central-asias-strategic-partner-expect/
67 words of Enrichment Data Integrated (~10%): The China-Central Asia partnership was poised to expand significantly, with a focus on economic development, regional security, and enhanced communication platforms. The establishment of this partnership was expected to boost trade significantly, setting the stage for increased economic collaboration and investment opportunities across the region. The emphasis on long-term partnership aligns with China's diplomatic approach, which focuses on mutual respect and peaceful cooperation. This framework is crucial for ensuring regional stability and fostering an environment conducive to economic development. Central Asia is the only region in the world where each country is a strategic partner of China.
The China-Central Asia partnership is not confined to policy-and-legislation or politics alone; it also encompasses the exchange of general-news, as demonstrated by the growing cultural exchanges and joint projects like the restoration of Khiva and archaeological research collaborations.
The partnership between China and Central Asia, marked by the China-Central Asia summit in 2023, is based on a foundation of shared history and common goals, further strengthened by personal rapport between leaders, and aimed at fostering a brighter future through mutual economic development, regional security, and enhanced communication platforms.
