[1/4] Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the round table of the China-Central Asia Summit in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China, May 19, 2023.Mark Cristino/Pool, via Reuters
XI’AN, May 19 (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday unveiled an ambitious plan to take Central Asia to the next level of development, from building infrastructure to facilitating trade, while avoiding “external interference”. bottom.
In his speech at the 2018 China-Central Asia Summit, Xi said, “China will synergize its development strategy with the five Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to promote the modernization of all six countries.” We are ready to make joint efforts to Northwest China.
“The world needs a stable, prosperous, harmonious and well-connected Central Asia,” Xi said.
At the same time, the six countries should oppose “external interference” in the internal affairs of regional countries and attempts to instigate “color revolutions,” and maintain a stance of intolerance against terrorism, separatism and extremism. warned Mr.
“China stands ready to help Central Asian countries improve their law enforcement, security and defense capabilities,” Xi said.
The two-day summit in the historic Silk Road city of Xi’an has been portrayed by Chinese state media as a triumph for China’s regional diplomacy, with leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan earlier He pledged support for China and pledged to deepen bilateral relations. cooperation.
The statement of unity among China’s Central Asian neighbors is expected to contrast sharply with the “negative” image of China presented at the summit. group of 7 people Play against the leaders in Hiroshima on the weekend.
Significant expressions of trust by China’s neighbors counter The United States condemns the Chinese government’s coercive diplomacy. Xi’s convening of five world leaders inside China without Russian President Vladimir Putin ostensibly puts Central Asia into China’s sphere of influence, as the Russian government’s focus remains on the war in Ukraine. will get closer.
Xi said China and Central Asian countries should deepen strategic mutual trust and always provide each other with “clear and strong support” on issues of core interests such as sovereignty, independence, national dignity and long-term development. and made no mention of the war. – A torn Ukraine was a former Soviet state, like the Central Asian countries.
trade and investment
Xi said China will strengthen bilateral investment agreements with Central Asian countries and comprehensively increase cross-border freight traffic with the region.
He will encourage Chinese-funded Central Asian companies to create more local jobs, build overseas warehouses in the region and launch special train services aimed at promoting cultural tourism in Central Asia. I added that it was planned.
Two-way trade between China and Central Asia hit a record $70 billion last year, with Kazakhstan spending $31 billion as China seeks to deepen economic ties to boost food and energy security. took first place.
Xi said the construction of the D-line, a natural gas pipeline connecting China and Central Asia, should be accelerated.
He also called on China and Central Asia to expand oil and gas trade, develop energy cooperation across industrial chains, and strengthen cooperation in the peaceful use of new energy and nuclear energy.
In addition, China will support the construction of international transport corridors across the Caspian Sea and strengthen the construction of transport hubs for Chinese-European freight train services, Xi said.
Reported by the Beijing Newsroom.Editing: Jacqueline Wong
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