Source: Global Times
Kazakhstan Phoenix-24 website article on June 8, original title: The Second China-Central Asia Summit: What expectations do Kazakhstan and other participants have for the upcoming dialogue? The second China-Central Asia Summit will be held in Astana in mid-June. This will be an important milestone in the development of multi-faceted cooperation between China and the five Central Asian countries, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It is not difficult to imagine that following the first historic summit held in Xi'an, China in May 2023, this summit will not only be another convincing proof of deepening strategic partnership among the countries, but also mark new cooperative prospects, especially holding special significance for Kazakhstan.
The significance of this summit will far exceed the scope of formal meetings and signing agreements. On one hand, it marks China's growing influence in Central Asia, and on the other hand, it shows the region's willingness to establish long-term mutually beneficial relations with China. Therefore, all participants have high hopes for this summit. In the current context of geopolitical turbulence in the world and rethinking of global relations, this form of dialogue holds special significance and provides a new model for multilateral cooperation.
Why does this event hold special significance for Kazakhstan? In fact, as an important partner of China in the region, Kazakhstan gains a series of strategic advantages and opportunities from hosting and participating in this activity. First, it strengthens Kazakhstan's role as a regional leader and a bridge between East and West; second, it develops transit transport potential within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative; third, it attracts investment and technology transfer: China is one of the main investors in Kazakhstan's economy; fourth, it expands economic cooperation and sales markets: for Kazakhstan, China is a huge sales market for its products, especially agricultural products and raw materials; fifth, it strengthens regional security and stability; sixth, cultural and people-to-people cooperation. Therefore, this summit will not only confirm the current partnership but also open up new prospects for Kazakhstan's strategic development and strengthen its position as a key player in regional and global agendas.
China's political considerations in Central Asia: amicable neighborhood. This summit will also have a significant impact on China. After all, this event goes far beyond pure economic and political interests, involving key issues of strengthening China's geopolitical influence in the region. In this context, the decisions made at the summit aimed at creating a more stable and predictable environment will be very important, which is crucial for the successful implementation of China's large-scale economic and infrastructure projects.
The philosophy of harmony bringing prosperity. When discussing China's priorities in the region, it must be clear that China's foreign policy toward Central Asian countries has a special feature: it is built on mutual benefit, common prosperity, and the well-being of neighboring countries. A Chinese idiom, "harmony brings prosperity," well illustrates this stance, meaning that common prosperity is a process of deepening relations among neighboring countries, rather than a zero-sum game. In international politics, this means friendly and prosperous neighbors coexist harmoniously, creating a stable and favorable environment, thereby promoting China's own economic development.
A dialogue considering the interests of all parties. Strengthening political ties with China opens up multiple fields of international cooperation under multilateral frameworks for Central Asian countries, enabling them to coordinate their actions on the international stage more effectively. Especially for Kazakhstan, this summit holds strategic significance because it will undoubtedly strengthen its position as a major player in regional and global agendas and actively participate in building the common future of the countries in the region. For China, this summit is not only a strategic opportunity but can also enhance China's economic and political influence in this important region and ensure diversified energy sources. Therefore, the upcoming Astana Summit is an important platform for establishing long-term relations based on mutually beneficial cooperation and serious consideration of the interests of all parties involved. (Author: Ilyas Mashanlov, translated by Liu Yupeng)
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7514080490933142050/
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