Editorial | Central Asia friendship pact bolsters stability
President Xi Jinping stresses need for cooperation at summit between China and five states amid economic and geopolitical tensions
Amid wars in the Middle East and Eastern Europe and geopolitical tensions, Central Asia is a comparative oasis of peace, stability and cooperation. This was reflected this week in the second China-Central Asia Summit.
The six countries signed a landmark permanent friendship pact, and President Xi Jinping pledged 1.5 billion yuan (HK$1.6 billion) in livelihood and development assistance to China’s five partners – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
China shares land borders with 14 neighbouring countries, and Central Asia is one of the least troublesome regions. In his keynote summit address, Xi stressed the need for cooperation amid global upheaval and transformation. Reiterating that there would be no winners in the tariff and trade war, he said: “Supporters of protectionism and hegemonism will harm others and themselves.”
The region, where Russia is historically dominant, is integral to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative global development strategy, evidenced by heavy investment in energy pipelines, infrastructure and mining projects.
Expansion plans include renewable energy and sustainable development – a focus of Xi’s talks with the leaders of the five states. He also defended multilateralism and the global trade order at meetings, reflecting China’s efforts to position itself as a reliable trade partner.
Beijing sees terrorism, separatism and extremism as threats to national and regional security, and Xi returned to this theme repeatedly in meetings with leaders. Notwithstanding the historical emphasis on economic development in the region, China has expanded its security presence through joint counterterrorism exercises, training programmes and aid.