‘We are aimed at strengthening political contacts, accelerating the development of trade and economic ties, joining efforts in countering traditional and new threats and challenges to peace, security, stability and development in the region’ — This was stated today, on 19 May, by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov at the Central Asia-China Summit in Xi’an.
“In this regard, I would like to note that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the One Belt, One Road initiative declared by President Xi Jinping, which has acquired a global scope and dimension. This initiative is especially relevant and in demand these days. I am convinced that today’s Summit will give a new dynamic to the deepening and expansion of traditionally friendly relations between our countries and China,” Sadyr Zhaparov said.
He noted that the agenda of the Summit fully reflects common goals and the desire for multifaceted cooperation for the benefit of joint development.
“The Kyrgyz side is ready to work actively in all areas of cooperation within the framework of the Central Asia-China Format. I think it is important to note that our Chinese friends have done a lot of work in preparing for today’s first face-to-face summit. The “Xi’an Declaration” was prepared and agreed upon by joint efforts. It is intended to become an important conceptual document defining the main ways of interaction,” the President added.
The Head of Kyrgyzstan said that the list of agreements and initiatives following the Summit provides for specific decisions and intentions on priority areas of cooperation. More than 10 mechanisms and platforms for collaboration are being created, which indicates the great potential and demand for the Format.
“I am sure that these documents meet the interests of our countries and the common interests of long-term joint development. The idea of establishing a special body – the Secretariat, which could coordinate the overall work, is of interest. I believe that the foreign ministries of our countries will offer us a mutually acceptable and effective working mechanism,” Sadyr Zhaparov said.
Speaking in general about the Central Asian region, its potential, development prospects, Zhaparov drew attention to some points. In Kyrgyzstan, people say: “A good neighbor is closer than a distant relative.”
“It is the highest good for all of us that our peoples and countries have maintained excellent relations with great China – our good neighbor, reliable friend and partner from time immemorial to the present day. This can be a great advantage for our countries if our region is formed as a single geo-economic space in which all forms of economic cooperation and interaction are successfully shaped. The joint implementation of China’s “One Belt, One Road” and its integration with the national development strategies of our countries, I am sure, will give a powerful economic effect,” Sadyr Zhaparov stressed.
In this context, he noted that the driver of the growth of the economies of Central Asia is the development of regional transit, transport, logistics potential. Its priority is active development that stimulates integration into the world economy and ensures connectivity within the region. Sadyr Zhaparov recalled a Chinese saying: “If you want to get rich, build a road.”
In this regard, the President of Kyrgyzstan outlined the importance of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway construction project, aimed to become an important link of the “One Belt-One Way”. The realization of this strategic project will take the region out of the transportation stalemate, connect about 4 billion people, and expand transportation geography from Asia to Europe, the Middle East, Iran, the Persian Gulf, and North Africa via Turkey.
“Taking into account the trends of the formation of multipolarity, it is important that our region become a geopolitical intermediary through which favorable interaction of world centers of influence is carried out. China plays its important positive role as one of the authoritative and influential world powers with a constructive positive agenda. The countries of the region will succeed if they carry out their interaction as actively developing communities that share and adhere to similar cultural, historical and traditional values and ideas. It is axiomatic that strengthening political dialogue, expanding trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties, taking practical measures to implement joint infrastructure, socio-economic projects in our countries will have the most beneficial impact on sustainable development, maintaining peace and stability in the region. It can be noted that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the threat of sanctions imposed by individual countries due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, can and already have a negative impact on the economy of our countries. This requires us to consolidate efforts in order to ensure the economic well-being of our peoples, strengthen security, including food and energy,” the President added.
Sadyr Zhaparov noted the special importance of such ideas and tasks as the development of a joint Strategy for the new economic dialogue “Central Asia – China”; increasing the connectivity of digital and “green” infrastructure; creating a data Bank of priority “green” investment projects; spreading the practice of “express corridor” for customs clearance of agricultural and food products at checkpoints; cooperation in the field of “smart” agriculture, exchange of experience on the introduction of water-saving, “green” and highly efficient technologies.
At the same time, Zhaparov drew the attention of the Summit participants to the fact that practical steps are being taken in Kyrgyzstan to improve the investment climate and attract foreign investment. Kyrgyzstan is working to attract investments in agriculture, industry, transport, and energy.
“We support the initiative of the Chinese side to create an investment and financial platform “Central Asia-China“. In addition, we have high hopes for the effective and productive work of new platforms created following our Summit, such as Mechanisms for meetings and meetings of Ministers of Economy and Trade, Investment and Industry, Agriculture, as well as heads of customs services within the framework of the “Central Asia –China” Format. It is important to provide enterprises and business circles with favorable conditions for economic activity, doing business, implementing joint economic projects, removing barriers and obstacles in trade and economic cooperation. In this vein, we welcome the creation of the Central Asia–China Business Council,” Sadyr Zhaparov stressed.
Another competitive advantage of the Central Asian region, according to Kyrgyzstan’s President, is the region’s wealth of natural resources, particularly mineral and energy resources, which have a significant potential for mutually beneficial cooperation and development.
“In Kyrgyzstan, almost all the energy produced is “green”, since it is accounted for by hydropower. So far, we have used only about 13% of our existing potential. For the development of this key sector, our country needs foreign investment, and we are ready for the closest cooperation in this area. We invite foreign companies to consider their participation in the construction of small and medium-sized hydroelectric power plants, renewable energy sources (RES) in Kyrgyzstan. Taking into account the fact that we can supply our electricity to countries with a combined population of over 2 billion people, there is no doubt that we will receive large not only material, but also environmental dividends for our entire region. In this vein, we support the idea of creating a partnership “Central Asia – China” on energy development,” he said.
The Head of Kyrgyzstan said that the cultural and humanitarian heritage of Central Asia and China is associated with priceless masterpieces of art, monuments of spiritual and material culture, the greatest thinkers who have made an invaluable contribution to world culture. It is important to increase the total humanitarian potential and conduct specific work in the fields of culture, education, science, healthcare, and tourism. Kyrgyzstan welcomes the launch of the Year of Culture and Art of the Peoples of Central Asia and China and the Youth Arts Festival “Central Asia – China”.
At the same time, Sadyr Zhaparov noted that the Central Asian countries and China, being the founding states, are actively working within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. At the initiative of Uzbekistan, the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States has been successfully launched, the 5th anniversary meeting to be held in Dushanbe this autumn. In July 2022, at the 4th meeting in Cholpon-Ata, the three countries signed an Agreement on Friendship, Good-Neighborliness and Cooperation for the Development of Central Asia in the XXI century, which is designed to strengthen good-neighborly and friendly relations.
In this regard, the President noted that since gaining state independence, the Kyrgyz Republic has been adhering to a peaceful policy and showing a constructive approach to resolving issues of border settlement.
“Together with the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Kazakhstan, we have successfully completed the delimitation and demarcation of the state border. Together with the Republic of Uzbekistan, the issue of delimitation of the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border has been successfully completed. Now we are actively working with our Uzbek colleagues to complete the demarcation of the border. In the spirit of friendship and good neighborliness, we are determined to work with Tajikistan. Kyrgyzstan expresses its support for the initiative of the Chinese side on global security. We support the ideas of Chinese President Xi Jinping to create a community of a shared destiny of mankind, the initiative for global development and global civilization. We highly appreciate the important role and significance of these ideas in the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda. We also highly appreciate the active efforts of the Chinese side to create a community of a common destiny of neighboring countries. I think this will make a great contribution to strengthening friendship, good neighborliness and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the countries of Central Asia,” concluded President Sadyr Zhaparov. ///nCa, 19 May 2023