New Eurasia Integration – China & Central Asia
China and Central Asia take a step towards allied relations
Eurasia integration – China and Central Asia continues. On May 18-19, the summit “Central Asia – China” was held at the highest level in the Chinese city of Xi’an. The parties signed dozens of essential documents to strengthen economic ties. A clear signal was sent to the whole world . The attempts of the West to tear the countries of the region away from cooperation with their traditional partners have failed.
In recent years, trade between the countries of Central Asia and the People’s Republic of China has been growing at an impressive pace. At the end of 2022, the trade turnover exceeded $70 billion. It is an increase of 40% compared to the previous year. Thus, China and Russia are the region’s largest economic partners.
It is no coincidence that the event was held in Xi’an. It is the administrative centre of Shaanxi Province, from where the famous Silk Road historically originated. The Chinese media called the summit a milestone. 82 documents were signed.
The most important were agreements on the construction of transport and logistics hubs. Also the construction of new and the modernization of existing railways and roads from China to Central Asia, including the completion of a feasibility study for the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project. It means the earliest possible launch of its construction.
Financial Support
In addition, Beijing will provide Central Asia with financial support worth 26 billion yuan ($3.7 billion) to help develop cooperation with Central Asian countries. According to Xi Jinping, China will develop a plan for scientific and technological cooperation to combat poverty in Central Asia. It will also encourage Chinese companies to create more jobs in the region.
The Chinese leader also paid attention to security issues. He noted that the PRC is ready to help the six countries of Central Asia strengthen their defense potential and support efforts to combat destructive forces.
“The six countries must resolutely oppose external interference in the internal affairs of the countries of the region, as well as attempts to provoke “color revolutions”, adhere to zero tolerance towards such “three forces” as terrorism, separatism and extremism,” Xi Jinping said.
New image of China for Central Asia and Eurasia
The Chinese leadership demonstrates the priority of its cooperation with Central Asia. In recent years, opponents of Beijing have waged informational Sinophobic wars against it. Two topics were actively discussed. Firstly, re-education camps in China are actively pushed by Western and pro-Western media in the Central Asian media. Secondly, claim that China allegedly will capture the Central Asian region with the help of loans.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the One Belt, One Road project. China has already invested about $15 billion in the region as part of this project. It is one of Beijing’s foreign agenda priorities in Central Asia. However, China is not the only one. There is Turkey with its project of the Organization of Turkic States—also, the Arab countries with an economic and religious agenda. Remember the collective West with its globalism. All of them want to make their presence here as straightforward as possible.
The Chinese theme as a whole is heard on different platforms. Including being discussed at the level of cooperation with Russia, with which the Central Asian republics are in common integration associations. The recent meeting between Putin and Xi Jinping is a key stage in the formation of a new world agenda. The views of Beijing and Moscow on foreign policy activities largely coincide. Unlike those ideas or concepts that are promoted by the United States and its allies.
Energy Sector and Transport – Eurasia Integration
Priorities were set in cooperation in two important areas – energy and forming transport and logistics routes and hubs. China is ready to increase cooperation in this direction. One of the key and priority projects is the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. It fits into the format of the One Belt, One Road initiative.
The construction of this railway will make it possible to integrate the states of Central Asia with Beijing as much as possible. It is about more than just the fact that trains with products will operate. It is no less important that an economic infrastructure consisting of enterprises and the service sector will be formed along this railroad. This is one of the model projects for interaction between China and Central Asia.
You can also pay attention to the fact that Russia will also become one of the beneficiaries of the agreements reached in Xi’an since today there is an unprecedented growth in trade between the Russian Federation and Central Asia, the Russian Federation and China. Developing trade and new transport routes will also affect the northern neighbour – Russia. This will be a big plus for the Russian economy.
