BEIJING: President Xi Jinping of China is set to host a two-day summit with the leaders of five Central Asian nations in Xi’an next week, as China aims to bolster its influence in the region.
The China-Central Asia Summit, scheduled for May 18 to 19, will bring together the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, according to China’s foreign ministry.
The summit, taking place in the historic city of Xi’an along the ancient Silk Road, marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations as it is the first of its kind since the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Central Asia 31 years ago.
The main focus of the summit will be on strengthening economic and diplomatic cooperation between the participating nations and Beijing.
China, the world’s second-largest energy consumer, has made substantial investments in Central Asia to tap into its vast natural gas reserves.
The region is also crucial for China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with its network of rail links connecting China to Europe. These connections play a vital role in the success of the trillion-dollar infrastructure project initiated by President Xi.
Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin announced on Monday that President Xi will deliver a keynote speech during the summit, which is being hailed as China’s first major diplomatic event of 2023.
Additionally, the leaders of the participating countries will jointly sign “important political documents” during the summit, highlighting the significance of the event.
China and Central Asia relations
Wang further stated that the heads of state would review the development of China-Central Asia ties and exchange views on various fields of cooperation, as well as discuss major international and regional issues of common concern.
The summit aims to deepen ties and enhance cooperation between China and Central Asian nations in diverse areas, including trade, investment, infrastructure development, and security.
China’s foreign minister, Qin Gang, emphasized Beijing’s commitment to “good-neighbourliness and friendship” in its relationship with Central Asia during a meeting with regional counterparts in Xi’an last month.
The meeting reinforced the mutual support of core interests, opposition to external interference in internal affairs, and rejection of destabilizing forces in Central Asia, as stated in a Chinese foreign ministry report.
Traditionally, Central Asian countries were under the influence of Russia, having been part of the Soviet Union and subsequently dominated by Moscow since the mid-19th century.
However, China’s growing presence in the region has posed a challenge to Russia’s influence, particularly since Beijing has been actively cultivating relationships with Moscow’s traditional allies in Central Asia.
China’s exports to Central Asia witnessed a remarkable growth of 60 percent year-on-year, reaching $1.4 billion in 2022, as per the data released by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce last month.
President Xi’s visit to Kazakhstan in September 2022, his first overseas visit since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighted the importance of the region for China’s strategic interests.
The China-Central Asia Summit presents an opportunity for these nations to engage with China on various issues, including regional cooperation, trade, and investment, while also addressing concerns related to human rights.
The upcoming summit signifies China’s continued efforts to strengthen its ties with Central Asia and expand its influence in the region, while providing an avenue for Central Asian countries to pursue economic development and cooperation with a major global player.
