Chinese investments in Central Asia are here, and they are going to increase. 

China’s President Xi Jinping opened the 2^nd Central Asia-China Summit, trumpeting the successes of Chinese investment projects while also promising to deepen current and develop Central Asian infrastructure. While there was enthusiasm from Central Asian leaders, there was also an air of wariness in allowing China to lead the conversation on what projects or industries receive investments.  

During the presidential opening remarks, leaders were able to present their priorities and sales pitches for future endeavors. From the Chinese point-of-view, President Xi painted a future where with Chinese investment and support, the Central Asian countries could become middle powers and key players on the international stage. Although all the Central Asian Presidents were clear that their countries wanted further Chinese investment, there was disagreement on how deep these relations should go. Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, although happy to continue building ties and grow economic relations with China, found that they were more hesitant in certain areas: Kazakhstan, with placing all its economic eggs into the Chinese basket, and Turkmenistan with enlarging its security collaborations. 

China – President Xi Jinping

Although the Summit covered a wide number of avenues from which China and Central Asia could deepen their relationship, there was an overarching theme throughout: cooperation among equals. Chinese President Xi set the tone, “We practice mutual respect and treat each other as equals. All countries, big or small, are equal. We handle issues through consultation and make decisions by consensus.” By stating that the countries should treat each other as equals and that decisions should be made by consensus, Xi seemingly recognized Central Asia as being as vital as China. For Central Asian leaders, this recognition and support has the potential of solidifying their view of themselves as middle powers. But until the C5 increase respect and investment from other world players, China’s recognition rings hollow.

President Xi’s speech also established how China and Central Asia should continue building their relationship via five proposals:

1. China and the C5 signed the Treaty of Eternal Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation to commit themselves to the goal of unity, trust, and support.
2. In an attempt to increase results and efficiency in Central Asia-China projects, Xi proposed the establishment of three cooperation centers to focus on poverty reduction, education exchange, and desertification prevention and control. Xi also promised to provide nearly $209 million to Central Asian countries for development projects as well as 3,000 training opportunities. 
3. Deepen cooperation in regional security governance and law enforcement in order to combat extreme ideologies and terrorism. Xi also called for a regional effort to handle and assist Afghanistan.
4. Increase opportunities for communication between subnational entities to promote understanding and interaction amongst Chinese and Central Asian populations.
5. Promote a “fair and equitable international order,” where Central Asia plays a larger role on the international stage. 

Through each of these categories, President Xi was clear that even as equals, Central Asian states could benefit and grow from increased Chinese interactions. Even though Xi’s speech did not explicitly talk about Central Asian relations with other countries like Russia, the United States, or the European Union, it did focus on the questionable notion that the cooperation between C5+C was built upon “2,000 years of friendly exchanges.” This shared regional history, along with the success of recent Central Asia-Chinese agreements, strengthened Xi’s argument that any successful Central Asia future requires a Chinese presence. 

Kazakhstan – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

Whereas President Xi Jinping’s speech broadly referenced all of the Central Asian states, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s presentation was particularly bilateral. He recounted recent Kazakhstan-China trade data sets, such as the $95 billion increase in trade between the countries. He also recognized China’s recent investments totaling $26 billion and the 5,000 enterprises with Chinese capital that already exist in Kazakhstan.

Echoing President Xi’s points, Tokayev recognized that future Chinese business investments were beneficial to Kazakhstan, but that further domestication of Chinese production facilities could significantly improve local Kazakh economies. Tokayev also highlighted the important role that Kazakhstan and Central Asia play as a logistics hub for trade between China and Europe. Instead of merely highlighting the Central Asian-Chinese accomplishments in restructuring trade infrastructure, Tokayev signaled that Central Asia is the crossroads that multiple great powers can utilize. “We attach particular importance to strengthening intercontinental connectivity and making the most of the competitive advantages of the Central Asian region.” Central Asian trade routes would not act just as a one-way road for Chinese goods, but also as a two-way street for Western goods heading east. 

There were several overlapping subjects with President Xi. Support for technology exchange, increase in security cooperation, as well as increased domestic interactions. Tokayev specifically mentioned opening cultural centers and the launching of the first tourist train from Xi’an to Almaty. 

Uzbekistan – President Shavkat Mirziyoyev

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted recent bilateral successes of Central Asia-China projects  while arguing that the region could further improve with continued Chinese participation. Mirziyoyev took an active step to advocte for particular projects that meet Central Asian desires. Specifically, he offered several program opportunities, such as the Common Space of Vast Opportunities, the “Electronic Silk Road” (a part of the Digital Belt and Road project), and the “Central Asia – China Development Fund.” 

Unlike President Tokayev, who mentioned projects and investments that would allow Central Asian countries to diversify their clientele, President Mirziyoyev focused on how Chinese investment could improve the lives of Central Asians. For example, Mirziyoyev called for the early adoption and implementation of the Green Development Program 2030 because he believed that “the widespread implementation of China’s best practices in the region will reduce risks and significantly increase the effectiveness of measures in the area of the green agenda and environmental protection.” Although the investment projects in question revolved around transportation and technological infrastructure that could be utilized in trade with the West, Mirziyoyev made no mention of Europe, the United States, or other trading partners.

Mirziyoyev also discussed security and how cooperation amongt the C5 and China is a “key priority.” He also mentioned that conversations with Afghanistan are essential, proposing the establishment of a “High-Level Group” to address issues and hold a meeting in the border city of Termez.

Tajikistan – President Emomali Rahmon

President Emomali Rahmon spent his speech discussing Chinese investment into Central Asia’s energy sector. In particular, he called for further development of the green- energy industry, mineral processing, transport and freight transportation, and agriculture. Outside of the energy sector, Rahmon promoted the “Dushanbe Process for Glaciers’ Preservation” in order to solidify development and cooperation on environmental matters. 

Kyrgyzstan – President Sadyr Japarov

During President Sadyr Japarov’s speech, there were calls to deepen Chinese development in six sectors: transport, energy, finance and ecommerce, education and science, tourism, and security. With a significant amount of time dedicated to transport, Japarov listed the success of ongoing Belt and Road Initiative projects like the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and border crossings between Kyrgyzstan and China. 

When discussing finance and ecommerce, Japarov stated his support for a “transition to more active use of national currencies in settlements, as well as an alternative international payment system.” No other President mentioned an alternative international payment system, and Japarov quickly moved onto a different sector on which to strengthen ties with China.

Turkmenistan – President Serdar Berdimuhamedov

When it was President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s turn to speak, he focused on transport, energy, technology, and culture, importantly leaving out the connection of security apparatuses. Berdimuhamedov did mention the importance of ensuring peace and stability throughout the international community. Instead  of asking for Chinese or Central Asian security collaboration, he asked for consultations on the development of a Global Security Strategy based within the United Nations. “I believe that the political, legal, and worldview foundations of [the Global Security Strategy] correspond to the conceptual approaches and views of the participants in this format on the future development and global processes.” He said that the Global Security Strategy would define the role of developing countries in world relations, the use of preventive diplomacy, and the principles of neutrality and peacebuilding. 

After this summit, it is clear that no matter what hesitations Central Asian leaders might hold about increasing Chinese influence and investment within their countries, Central Asia will continue to move closer to China – especially if there are no other serious alternatives.