VOA Uzbek: Central Asian countries moving closer to China

VOA Uzbek: While Russia is still controlling Central Asian countries politically and economically, those states are also looking for new partners, especially with China, to help ensure their own development. And according to the regional experts, even if the U.S. starts a tough policy against Beijing, it will not have a serious impact on Central Asia, and they will not stop their economic relations with China.

President Sadir Japarov, who personally launched the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway in late December, was welcomed to China on a state visit in early February.

During talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, the two sides signed documents to strengthen cooperation, including a joint statement aimed at comprehensively strengthening the strategic partnership in the new era.

The Kyrgyz official press widely covered Japarov's visit to China, with particular attention paid to the joint statement signed between the parties on comprehensively strengthening the strategic partnership in the New Era.

It is noted that the statement reflects the parties' confidence in mutual sustainable development in a global world that has entered a period of upheaval. For Kyrgyzstan, China is an important strategic partner not only in the economy, infrastructure projects, but also in cooperation in advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence technology.

Bishkek presents the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway as one of the important projects within the framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative.

The main part of the project, estimated to cost around eight billion dollars, will pass through Kyrgyzstan. It is said that the project, which will eventually connect to the Trans-Caspian Corridor, will become a short route connecting the West and the East.

China has no intention of unilaterally financing the 454-kilometer-long project. At a meeting in Beijing, Xi Jinping stressed that all parties must contribute to accelerating the construction of the railway.

During the meeting with Xi, Japarov expressed Kyrgyzstan's full support for the global development, security, and progress policy promoted by China in the international arena, and its readiness to participate in new projects within the framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative.

It is not just Kyrgyzstan that supports China's global policy. All Central Asian countries have expressed their commitment to the "one China" principle, their readiness to participate in and support China's global initiatives.

This is not by chance. China has become the main economic partner of Central Asia, overtaking Russia, which was the main player in investment and economic participation.

Although the West is not a competitor to China in this regard in the region, recent events, particularly the fact that regional countries are looking to Beijing for cooperation on advanced technology and artificial intelligence systems, may further strengthen China's primacy.

But this picture may change after President Donald Trump declared China as the main rival of the United States, and began a campaign to combat China in this regard. In any case, there are strong views that the main focus of the United States under Trump will be on combating China. This may also have an impact on regional countries that rely on Chinese goods and investment, increasing pressure.

According to Alisher Ilhomov, a researcher and expert on Central Asia, the conflict between China and the United States is likely to reach its peak under President Trump, but this will not have a serious impact on the countries of the region. In addition, there are points in the region where the interests of the United States and China are aligned.

"The political issue is not a priority in China's relations with Central Asia. Military cooperation is also almost non-existent, with the exception of Tajikistan. China is mainly pushing economic projects, of course, it is difficult to say that there is no politics behind this. But this is not in the foreground. Therefore, even if Trump starts a tough policy against China, it will not have a serious impact on Central Asia. The countries of the region will not stop economic relations with China, even if Washington increases pressure. In fact, there are projects in Central Asia that are in the interests of China and the United States. The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway can be called one of such projects, because this project will bring the countries of the region closer to the West," Ilhomov said.

According to the expert, Central Asian countries also view China as a force that helps maintain geopolitical balance, especially in situations where Russian pressure is excessive.

China is one of the geopolitical powers neighboring Central Asia. In recent years, the boundaries of this power have shifted significantly. It is noted that the dependence of smaller countries in the region on Chinese investment is observed. VOA/SP