The future of Kazakhstan is intricately tied to China, and Adil Kaukenov, a renowned Sinologist, is convinced that President Tokayev’s current visit to China underscores this fact.
Kaukenov elaborated on his reasoning in a detailed post on his Telegram channel:
Warm Welcome for Tokayev
«Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in China for an official visit, and he was accorded a warm and grand reception commensurate with the importance of his visit. He was welcomed by China’s Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Xin Zhuanglun, and other high-ranking officials. At the plane’s steps, an honor guard was meticulously arranged, accompanied by young women in traditional attire waving Chinese flags. A young Chinese admirer even tenderly presented President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with welcoming flowers.
This particularly attentive treatment of the Kazakh president by the Chinese side was not merely due to diplomatic protocol. Chinese President Xi Jinping has consistently shown that he attributes special significance to Central Asia and Kazakhstan in shaping his foreign policy. After assuming the position of China’s president, Xi Jinping embarked on one of his first tours to Central Asia, and post-pandemic, he chose Kazakhstan for his first official visit. Many international media outlets expressed astonishment: Why Kazakhstan, and not global giants like the United States or France?»
Kazakhstan’s Hopes
«In the interest of China, Central Asia, and experienced diplomat and Sinologist Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, there are opportunities for Kazakhstan’s development. Despite geopolitical storms, Kazakhstan-China trade hit a record in 2022, amounting to $31 billion (according to Chinese customs data), a 31% increase from the previous year.
Central Asia, as a whole, nearly doubled its trade with China, increasing from $41.9 billion to $70.2 billion. A significant diplomatic achievement for Kazakhstan was China’s agreement to abolish visa requirements for Kazakh citizens, no small feat given the typically conservative visa policies for East Asian countries.
The Silk Road Anniversary
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s current visit is related to the anniversary of the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative. During his meeting with Chairman Xi Jinping, the Kazakh leader noted that he remembers the start of this program in the Kazakh capital back in 2013. Kazakhstan has been a committed partner in these efforts since day one. It’s worth mentioning that these collaborative efforts have yielded a significant result in terms of connecting Europe and Asia. The work on transportation infrastructure has led to nearly a 104-fold increase in container shipments between China and the EU via Kazakhstan.
From Politics to Business
During the meetings, Chinese President Xi Jinping once again emphasized China’s full support for Kazakhstan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the substantial reforms led by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Additionally, during this visit, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev unveiled a bust of the distinguished Kazakh scholar and philosopher Abu Nasr Al-Farabi in the Chinese capital.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted that contemporaries called Al-Farabi, known for his encyclopedic knowledge, the ‘Second Teacher’ after Aristotle. His works are a treasure trove that has entered the global list of UNESCO’s memorable dates, commemorating the 1150th anniversary of Al-Farabi in 2020.
Naturally, the visit includes business meetings related to economic cooperation. President Tokayev discussed a significant petrochemical project of global importance worth $7.7 billion with Ma Yunsheng, the director of SINOPEC. The head of the Chinese YTO Express Group, You Huexiao, informed the Kazakh president that the key project of his company in Kazakhstan will involve the construction of high-tech multimodal class A centers in several regions. Such infrastructure will enable the swift handling of goods with access to the EU, EAEU, and Central Asian countries. The implementation of intelligent IT solutions will enable full automation of logistical processes and ensure customs support for deliveries.»
