China-Central Asia: Hope for Expanding and Deepening dilateral cooperation

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From October 25 to 28, the 11th "China-Central Asia" Cooperation Forum took place in Yinchuan, China, the administrative center of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in Northwest China, under the theme "Promoting Green Development, Building a Shared Home."

At the forum, high-ranking officials from Central Asian countries praised China’s substantial achievements across various fields, emphasizing that China’s development represents an important opportunity for Central Asia and expressing hopes for further expanding cooperation with China and deepening practical interaction, according to People's Daily, citing Xinhua.

Edil Baisalov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, noted that China actively implements advanced green technologies, leads in promoting clean energy and sustainable practices, and that cooperation between the two countries in this area opens new opportunities to improve economic efficiency and the environmental situation.

"We also intend to actively continue our mutually beneficial cooperation with China on renewable energy projects and invite Chinese companies to jointly implement projects in Kyrgyzstan," stated Edil Baisalov.

Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan Ziyozoda Sulaimon emphasized that China is one of Tajikistan's most significant trade partners. Chinese investment in the Tajik economy from 2007 to 2023 totaled over $4 billion, with more than $2.5 billion being direct investments.

Currently, over 700 companies with Chinese capital operate in Tajikistan. "Major state and regional projects are being implemented in Tajikistan with the participation of Chinese enterprises. These projects are a clear example not only of our fruitful cooperation but also of the growing Tajik-Chinese friendship," said Ziyozoda Sulaimon.

First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, Akmal Saidov, expressed that Uzbekistan genuinely celebrates China’s achievements and hopes to strengthen ties based on mutually beneficial cooperation and actively develop joint projects in transportation, logistics, high technology, and agriculture.

"Cooperation is actively strengthening in new areas, such as innovation and technology, poverty reduction, rural development, green energy, and the digital economy. In these areas, China is our primary and priority partner," he said.

Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to China, Shakhrat Nuryshev, who has lived in China for over 30 years, personally witnessed the country’s development achievements. He noted a recent surge in trade turnover between Central Asia and China.

According to him, last year, this figure grew by 27% and exceeded $89 billion, with Kazakhstan’s share reaching $41 billion.

For the first nine months of this year, trade turnover totaled $69 billion, with Kazakhstan accounting for $33 billion, he added. Nuryshev stated that Kazakhstan is ready to continue contributing to the region's overall trade development with China by expanding export categories, developing cross-border trade hubs, and creating digital platforms.

He also mentioned Kazakhstan’s interest in attracting advanced Chinese technologies in water conservation, reforestation, and desertification control to mitigate risks of freshwater shortages and related issues.

Bayram Klychmametov, Counselor of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in China, stated that this forum serves as a prologue to the further institutionalization of mutually beneficial communication and cooperation in the "Central Asia-China" format, providing a platform for engaged exchanges of views on various partnership and cooperation issues in trade, economics, and culture.

"We intend to continue contributing to expanding cooperation across a broad range of areas for the sustainable development of each country and the region as a whole," he said.

The "China-Central Asia" Cooperation Forum is a national-level cooperation platform for institutionalized exchanges between China and Central Asian countries.

This year's event, co-organized by the SCO Committee on Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation and the People’s Government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, gathered over 300 participants, including high-ranking government officials from Central Asian countries.

Editors: Chu Mengqi, Deng Jie

Source: People's Daily

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November 1, 2024