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| President Xi arrived to attend Summit. Image Credit: Google |
China hosted a two-day
summit of Central Asian States on 18-19 May, 2013. It is the first ever summit
of its kind China hosted since the start of this year. It is perceived as a counter
response of China to US’s backed G-7 summit hosted by Japan in the same week.
“Chinese
leader Xi Jinping is rolling out the red carpet for Central Asian nations this
week as Beijing attempts to expand its reach into a region that has long been
regarded as Russia’s sphere of influence.” CNN reported.
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| Leaders of Central Asian Nations receiving a Red-Carpet Welcome. Image Credit: Google |
The summit included
the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
All the leaders received a warm welcome by Chinese Government.
Many issues
were included in the agenda of the meeting, but its primary purpose was to
secure greater political and economic cooperation between China and Central
Asian states.
Kazakh
President, Kassym Jomart Tukayev said to Chinese President upon his arrival at Xian,
where the summit was scheduled that “We have a common goal: to intensify
bilateral relations.”
The city of
Xian was formerly known as Changan has its symbolic interpretations being the
meeting point. It was the eastern starting point for the Silk route that was
the ancient trade route connected China and Central Asia with Mediterranean.
Background of
the Meeting:
China and
Central Asia are vital partners from a very long time. Beijing had launched its
trillion dollars project famously known as Chinese Belt and Road Initiative
(BRI) in Kazakhstan in 2013. China has spent billions of dollars on infrastructure
and transportation in the region.
China and
Central Asian States are key trading partners as well. They have conducted more
than $28.4 Billion dollars in trade. The interdependence between the two has
created more potential for cooperation. Central Asia depends on Chinese trade
and investment while in return China is dependant on its resources.
There are
several cities on China who are dependent upon gas pipelines from Turkmenistan and
oil from Kazakhstan.
Furthermore,
China aims at containing US dominance in region through establishing deeper
connections with Central Asia. In addition, this would help in bringing peace
in its far-Western region of Xinjiang and, also fill the void created by
Russian invasion of Ukraine.
However, not
all the Central Asian states are willing to participate in such moves. Some Muslim
states in the region condemn Chinese Human rights violations of Uyghurs in
Xinjiang. These states are also fearful from the Soviet invasion of Ukraine. So,
they are not much happy with China because of Sino-Russian ties.
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| Leaders of Central Asia Nations Image Credit: Google |
Purpose of the
Summit:
- China to show solidarity with Central Asian Countries in a summit that overlaps G-7 gathering
- Building stronger trade infrastructure across Asia.
- To intensify economic and political engagement in the region
- To promote modernization of the six countries
Outcomes of the Meeting:
Chinese President announced in a brief after the meeting that we
have an ambitious plans to help elevate Central Asia to the next level of its
development.
This includes:
- Revamping of developmental strategies.
- China has upgraded investment agreements and announced to upgrade cross border trade volume in the region.
- Revealed plans to encourage Chinese funded businesses in Central Asia to create more local jobs and to build oversees warehouses in the region.
- It was decided that China will launch a special train service to promote cultural tourism within Central Asia.
- It was announced that Beijing seeks deeper economic links and its quest for food and energy security. The bilateral trade has already hit a record of $70 billion last year.
- China called for increase in oil and gas trade,
- China and Central Asia to develop energy cooperation across industrial chains and boost cooperation in Nuclear-Energy for peaceful use.
- Agreement on expediting the construction of Line-D, China-Central Asia gas pipeline.
Concluding Remarks:
President Xi Jinping in his concluding remarks said, “China and
Central Asian countries and closely linked like lips and teeth.”
Furthermore, China envisions a stable and well-connected Central
Asia. this is the strategic cooperation envisioned by this generation of leader
with an Eye on Future.
(Courtesy: Foreign Policy, CNN, Al-Jazeera, Japan Times, WION)
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Well written
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