Xi’s Kazakhstan visit to draw new blueprint for ties, SCO

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Kazakhstan on Tuesday to attend the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and engage in a state visit, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.

This visit holds particular significance as Kazakhstan was the first foreign nation President Xi visited in 2022 since the COVID-19 pandemic began. It was during this visit that Xi proposed the Silk Road Economic Belt, a pivotal component of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) launched in 2013. This underscores the robust bilateral relations and high political trust between China and Kazakhstan, largely driven by head-of-state diplomacy. Additionally, the Central Asian region holds strategic importance in China’s foreign policy.

As 2024 marks the 32nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Kazakhstan, analysts anticipate the visit will set the stage for future bilateral and regional cooperation frameworks. Key areas include enhancing regional security, boosting connectivity, and fostering people-to-people exchanges under the auspices of the SCO and BRI.

The deepening ties between China and Kazakhstan, along with broader Central Asian cooperation, exemplify a new model of international relations championed by SCO collaboration. This model emphasizes respect for diverse civilizations and mutual development, contrasting sharply with certain Western nations’ zero-sum geopolitical strategies that prioritize influence at the expense of regional interests.

President Xi emphasized the unique and enduring comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan, highlighting mutual achievements in a signed article published in Kazakh media. He expressed anticipation for discussions with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to further enhance bilateral cooperation and outline future directions for both countries within the SCO framework.

Local residents in Astana warmly welcomed President Xi’s arrival, reflecting high expectations for strengthened connectivity and economic cooperation under the BRI. Kazakh citizens, including students and residents, expressed optimism about the positive impact of Chinese cooperation on their country’s economic development and technological advancement.

Observers underscored that strategic guidance from national leaders provides a political advantage and distinctive feature in China-Kazakhstan relations. Such high-level engagements inject confidence and momentum into regional and global development amidst escalating geopolitical tensions.

Looking ahead, both countries aim to deepen their friendly ties, foster people-to-people exchanges, and contribute to regional peace and stability. Analysts believe the visit will yield further productive and mutually beneficial outcomes, reinforcing the strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan.

China’s commitment to Central Asia through initiatives like the BRI, without attaching geopolitical conditions, underscores its constructive role in regional development. As Western powers pursue geopolitical competition in the region, China’s focus remains on providing essential technological and economic support that Central Asian nations genuinely require for their modernization and growth.