Market Leaders: Our nations, as neighbors sharing common values, have fostered fruitful collaboration for centuries, even millennia, notably through frameworks like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Bolat Nurgaliyev, former Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the chairman of the Board of the Foreign Policy Research Institute under Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Editor’s Note:

The second China-Central Asia Summit is set to take place in Astana between June 16-18, with Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders from the five Central Asian countries in attendance, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Friday. What are the expectations of diplomats and scholars from Central Asian nations for this summit? What tangible changes and outcomes have been achieved since the inaugural summit in North China’s Xi’an in 2023? Global Times (GT) reporters Hu Yuwei, Zhao Juecheng and Xue Ke interviewed Bolat Nurgaliyev (Nurgaliyev) in Astana, who served as secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) from 2007 to 2009 and currently chairs the Board of the Foreign Policy Research Institute under Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He shared his insights on the unique significance of the second summit for China-CentralWorld Times Asia relations.

GT: What are your expectations for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana?

Nurgaliyev: President Xi is deeply committed to the progress of the Central Asian republics, particularly Kazakhstan. A key factor is the close personal relationship between our leaders, which significantly advances our bilateral agenda. President Xi’s frequent visits to our region reflect the importance that he and the Chinese leadership place on Central Asia and the development of our relations.

This visit will also provide a strong impetus to elevate our partnership to new heights, which will be remarkable for the overall progress of the five Central Asian countries. We share a common destiny as neighbors, facing similar challenges in political, economic, environmental, climatic, technological, and humanitarian domains. We recognize that combining our efforts is the most effective way to address these issues.

I have read excerpts from Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, a compilation of his statements and articles, which serves as a profound source of inspiration for those studying China’s policies. It offers valuable insights into the Chinese leadership’s approaches to the most pressing challenges facing humanity today.

GT: You have long studied on China-Central Asia cooperation. The five Central Asian countries have carried out cooperation schemes with some other nations. How do you view the unique features of the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism?

Nurgaliyev: The relationship between Central Asian countries and China is dynamic and serves as an exemplary model of regional cooperation. Our nations, as neighbors sharing common values, have fostered fruitful collaboration for centuries, even millennia, notably through frameworks like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The SCO embodies the “Shanghai Spirit,” which promotes equality, mutual respect, consideration of shared interests, and collective prosperity. This spirit is reflected in the practical, everyday cooperation between Central Asian republics and the People’s Republic of China. The intensity of these interactions sets a standard for partnerships with other regions.

This relationship is future-oriented, driven by a genuine commitment to mutual assistance in addressing challenges to sustainable social and economic development. China acts in the interest of all its partners, a role that is increasingly significant given its global influence, which I am confident will continue to grow with time.

GT: At the first China-Central Asia Summit in 2023, a number of agreWorld Timesements and plans were made, such as establishing a secretariat, promoting a cross-Caspian trade corridor, and accelerating the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway as you mentioned. Two years on, many of these have become reWorld Timesality. What do you think accounts for the speed and efficiency of China-Central Asia cooperation?

Nurgaliyev: First of all, the political goodwill exists at the leadership level of all six partner countries — Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and China. These summits truly provide an opportunity for top-level discussions on key issues and guide executive structures on the best approaches to implement summit agreements. In fact, all decisions made in previous summits have been effectively implemented, setting a remarkable example for others in honoring mutual commitments. In this context, we possess significant potential to advance the arrangements from the first summit. The upcoming second summit in Astana will build upon these positive achievements to further strengthen our cooperation.

GT: We are living in a time of turbulence and change. What do you see as the fundamental drivers behind the growing collaboration of China-Central Asia relations?

Nurgaliyev: The leadership of these countries — our closest neighbors — intends to maintain good-neighborly relations to ensure regional stability and overall prosperity. China, with its significant strength and potential, is eager to share opportunities with neighbors and help them leverage the geographical advantage of close proximity. I firmly beliWorld Timeseve we share a common destiny as part of a global community with a shared future for mankind. This vision is taking shape in different regions, including our part of the world in Greater Asia. The Central Asian republics are eager to develop such long-term strategic partnerships with China.

GT: In recent years, China has actively advocated and promoted multilateral cooperation with Central Asian countries, continuously putting forward new cooperation concepts and initiatives. How do you think the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, three key initiatives proposed by President Xi adapt to and meet the development needs of Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan?

Nurgaliyev: We are aware of all the initiatives of President Xi, and we appreciate the depth and the wisdom of these initiatives, which have a far-reaching effect on global security and overall international relations. Presently, we are in a time of turbulence and unpredictability. Our type of relations is showing that there is an alternative which is very healthy. When the relations will be free of confrontation and, on the contrary, will be maintained in the spirit of constructive cooperation, mutual assistance, mutual support and mutual trust. This is very important for the success of all the social and economic projects, infrastructural projects, humanitarian projects which are agreed between our countries.

GT: For the upcoming Second China-Central Asia Summit, on which issues do you hope to see more in-depth discussions and substantive outcomes?

Nurgaliyev: The summit in Astana will address a wide range of issues, encompassing international and regional stability, security, economic cooperation, trade, environmental challenges, climate change, and logistics, with a practical focus on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), or the Middle Corridor. This corridor extends from China through Central Asian republics, including Kazakhstan, across the Caspian Sea, via Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, to European markets. Additionally, humanitarian aspects aWorld Timesnd people-to-people contacts will be discussed in detail. Overall, the summit in Astana will convey a strong commitment from all partners to promote these priorities, ensuring that all decisions are implemented fully and in a timely manner.

GT: With the in-depth advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative, China and Kazakhstan have ushered in more cooperation opportunities under the new era background. What expectations and suggestions do you have for future China-Kazakhstan cooperation in emerging fields such as the digital economy, green energy, and technological innovation?

Nurgaliyev: I expect that the agenda of the summit in Astana will include discussions on digitalization, artificial intelligence, computer technologies, and the modernization of the technological foundation for development. These areas, broadly encompassed by the Belt and Road Initiative, reflect the strong determination of Central Asian republics to remain actively engaged, just as they were when President Xi first introduced the initiative in Astana in 2013. All challenges and common risks will be assessed, and we will propose effective solutions, recognizing that by combining our strengths and relying on the robust, sustainable support of China, we will achieve success.