At the "China-Central Asia" summit, it was decided that China will provide 3.7 billion dollars in aid to Central Asian countries. According to Chinese President Xi Jinping, China will create a scientific and technological cooperation plan with Central Asia in the field of poverty alleviation, as well as encourage Chinese companies to create more jobs in the region. In addition to the Chinese leader, the President of Kazakhstan Gasim-Jomart Tokayev, the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadir Japarov, the President of Tajikistan Imamali Rahman, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyayev and the President of Turkmenistan Sardar Berdimuhamedov took part in the summit. Chinese leader Xi Jinping visited Central Asian countries for the first time in 2013, and the number of visits has increased since then.
It is interesting that most of these countries are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. In such a case, why does China need to create a special format with Central Asian countries?
Firstly, Among the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization are Russia and India. China has a border problem with India, Beijing's partner in the struggle for Central Asia considers the Kremlin as a rival. Since Beijing could not strengthen the integration with Central Asia in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, it needed a format that did not include the countries of the region, Russia and India.
Second, The United States also joined the struggle for Central Asia. Washington has a "5+1" format in common with Central Asian countries. The US Secretary of State holds a joint meeting with Central Asian foreign ministers once a year. Political, economic and military cooperation issues between Washington and Central Asian countries are discussed at this meeting. This causes concern in China as well as in Russia.
thirdly, Central Asian countries have rich energy and mineral deposits. This is great potential. China, whose finances are growing year by year, needs more energy and mineral wealth. Therefore, Beijing allocates investments and aid to Central Asian countries. Russia and the United States lag behind China in the volume of investments and aid to Central Asian countries. According to "Reuters" agency, the economy of Central Asian countries will grow by 4.2 percent this year. This figure was also confirmed by the International Monetary Fund. China is trying to use this potential. A part of Central Asia's oil and gas pipelines is directed to China. In 2022, China's trade with Central Asian countries will reach 70 billion dollars.
Fourthly, The main main line of China's "Great Silk Road" project passes and must pass through Central Asia. Beijing wants to involve all Central Asian countries in the "Great Silk Road" project. Meanwhile, Beijing is also positive about the access of Central Asian countries to Azerbaijan and Turkey via the Caspian Sea along with various routes. Besides, China is interested in cooperation with Iran and Armenia. The route across the Caspian Sea extends from Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey to Europe. The other route is planned to go from Turkmenistan by land to Iran and Armenia. If Azerbaijan and Armenia reach an agreement, the Zangezur corridor will become a part of the "Great Silk" road. With this, Beijing is trying to attract the absolute majority of countries in the Eurasian region to the "Great Silk Road" project.
Nevertheless, China's increased activity in the region also has its risks. Although Beijing does not interfere in the internal affairs of Central Asian countries, it wants these countries to maintain a balance in their foreign and security policies, that is, it is against the rapprochement of these countries with the United States and Russia. In addition, Central Asian countries become dependent on Beijing as they borrow more from China. Uyghurs fleeing the oppression of the Chinese regime settle mainly in Central Asian countries. This factor also worries Beijing.
"Atlas" Research Center
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