By Wendellyn Mateo
China is extending its political clout, and this time it’s eyeing Central Asia, where the region’s natural resources and location between Europe and Asia make it an attractive strategic interest.
In its latest move, China’s President Xi Jinping travelled to Astana this week for a summit that gathered leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Meeting each leader for one-to-one talks, Xi reiterated the need for further cooperation with the region, especially in investment and emerging sectors.
But this comes at a time of shifting geopolitical tensions, particularly from an escalating conflict between neighboring Iran and Israel.
Cooperation is the buzzword
According to state news Xinhua, in a meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on the sidelines of the event, Xi called on the two sides to implement the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership established last year when the Chinese president visited Tajikistan, and expand the scale of their bilateral trade and investment.
He emphasised the need to further bolster law enforcement and security cooperation, especially in the face of terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
Xi also met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, with whom he urged further financial cooperation, improved connectivity networks and the high-quality construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.
Several strategic agreements were also signed between Kazakhstan and China ahead of the summit, including a deal that will grant Kazakhstan access to the Green Technology Bank – one of Asia’s largest green technology platforms.
In total, both sides were able to secure 58 agreements worth about $25 billion.
At the end of the summit, declarations on key interests ranging from fighting terrorism, reaffirming independence and sovereignty, and committing to implementing a stronger multilateral trading system, among others, were adopted.
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China partnership attracts regional stability
Zhao Long, a senior research fellow at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, said aligning with China provides leverage for Central Asian nations to boost regional stability, with added opportunities for economic modernisation and a diversified diplomatic portfolio, according to a report from Al Jazeera.
Central Asia boasts rich energy resources, while China could provide markets, advanced technology, and infrastructure.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said last week China’s ties with Central Asian countries “have entered a new era”.
“We believe through this summit, China and five Central Asian countries will further consolidate the foundation of mutual trust”, Lin said.
Xi also took the time to comment on the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel in his meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, saying China was “deeply worried”.
“China opposes any actions that infringe upon sovereignty, security, territorial integrity of other countries, deems military conflict no solution”, the Chinese leader said in a report from Xinhua.
Iran and Israel are locked in an escalating military action that is triggering fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East, which is already reeling from another war in Gaza.
“No reason” for fears on Beijing’s increasing influence
Central Asia had been part of Russia’s orbit until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, and has since then been courted by major powers like China and the United States.
Yet, concerns that Beijing has been ramping up too much influence in a region that views Russia as a strategic partner were quickly doused by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday.
“There is no reason for such fears. China is our privileged strategic partner, and the countries of Central Asia, naturally, are our natural historical partners,” he said.
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