Italian media: China's trade with Central Asia will soon exceed $100 billion

Of the five countries, only Turkmenistan has not joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), adhering to its traditional international neutrality. Despite this, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan attended the Beijing visit. Last year, trade between the region and China increased by 5% and will soon exceed $100 billion.

Astana (Asia News) – With political, diplomatic, and economic agreements reached with China, the presidents of Central Asian countries naturally did not miss the Chinese military parade.

Kazakh political scientist Dosym Satpaev commented on the event held at "Azatik Asia." The leaders of Central Asia have shown enthusiastic support for China's "peaceful neutrality" policy, as confirmed by articles published in the China Daily by the presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan before the summit.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said: "Under the wise leadership of the state president with a global vision, today's China has achieved remarkable development, bringing significant benefits to all countries and opening up broad prospects for all neighboring countries." His Uzbek colleague Shavkat Mirziyoyev called the Chinese leader a "forward-looking friend," "consistent and forward-looking."

Tashkent's president believes that the SCO is not a challenge to existing structures in the world, but rather a response to the demand for a more just new world order based on dialogue rather than force.

Of the five countries, only Turkmenistan, according to its traditional international neutrality, has not joined the SCO. However, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan assured that he considers the Shanghai Cooperation Organization "highly respected," which plays an important and constructive role in continental and global processes, and attending the grand military parade is a tribute to China.

In this context, the role of Central Asia is crucial. Initially, the SCO was composed of five countries: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and China, with security issues being its priority, followed by economic agreements, which have now become its main focus. Trade between China and Central Asia is growing rapidly, and it is expected to exceed $100 billion this year.

China is the main investor in the extraction of natural resources in the region and is actively developing transport routes to Europe, part of its ambitious "Belt and Road" initiative. Railway lines from China to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are under construction, and together with railway lines passing through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, they will connect China with the Caspian Sea and open the door for China to export to Europe through the "Middle Corridor."

China is a crucial source of raw materials for the region, both traditional and new rare minerals essential for the modern economy.

Satpaev and many other commentators believe that the most obvious summary of Russia's policy in recent years is "Russia, by rejecting the West, has opened the door to the West and other countries through Central Asia."

Source: Asia News

Author: Vladimir Rozanskij

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1842776827276297/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author.