Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Kazakhstan for a major meeting with Central Asian leaders. His visit comes at the same time as the G7 summit is being held in Canada. By coming to Central Asia now, China is showing it wants to be a strong and steady partner in the region, especially as tensions rise between world powers like the United States and China.

This is President Xi’s third foreign trip this year. He will first meet with Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Then, he’ll attend a big gathering of leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Kazakhstan is important to China. More than 10 years ago, Xi launched the Belt and Road project right here—a massive plan to build roads, railways, and other infrastructure to connect Asia, Africa, and Europe. Now, China wants to make sure its economy stays strong even if relations with the U.S. get worse.

After seeing how Western countries tried to isolate Russia economically since 2022, China is now taking steps to protect itself. That’s why building stronger ties with Central Asia is key.

Central Asia is rich in oil, uranium, and rare earth metals—things that are very valuable for technology and energy. It’s also a perfect route for Chinese exports to reach Europe over land.

Russia, which used to have a big influence here, is losing some control because of its war in Ukraine. That opens more doors for China. The region’s total economy is worth around $500 billion, and China is ready to invest big.

Kazakhstan alone has already received about $26 billion from China and wants to attract $150 billion more by 2029. Chinese companies and Kazakh firms just signed 58 new business deals worth over $24 billion.

One of the biggest plans is to build a giant aluminum factory in Kazakhstan that can produce 1 million tons of metal every year. That project alone could cost more than $12 billion.

President Tokayev of Kazakhstan has known China for a long time. He speaks Mandarin and used to work in China as a diplomat. His country is aiming to create 50,000 new jobs through 224 projects with China worth around $66.5 billion.

China is now Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner, even ahead of Russia. Trade between China and the five Central Asian countries jumped by more than 40% in both 2022 and 2023. Big companies like Huawei and BYD are already expanding their business in the region.

China is also giving Kazakhstan a $1 billion loan through the China Development Bank, showing just how deep these ties are growing.

China isn’t just doing business. It also wants to stop ethnic violence and keep peace in the region. Chinese experts say strong friendship with Central Asia can help prevent conflict.

China and its Central Asian friends are also part of international groups like BRICS, which are seen as alternatives to Western alliances like the G7. They are even talking about creating a shared currency.

China is becoming more active in Central Asia, and its friendship with Kazakhstan is stronger than ever. With deals worth billions and hopes of a shared future, President Xi’s visit marks a big step forward in the region’s history. This growing partnership could shape the future of trade, peace, and development for years to come.