Discussions around the outcomes
of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to China continue.
Experts are unanimous in their recognition of the event’s significant
importance in strengthening and expanding interaction between the countries.
The President’s trip to China and his participation in the third Belt and Road
Forum reaffirm the high level of multilateral relations, primarily in trade,
where China holds a central position as Kazakhstan’s key partner.
“China currently tops the list of
Kazakhstan’s foreign trading partners. If we look at the statistics, our mutual
trade turnover has totaled $19 billion from January to August, solidifying China’s
status as Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner. Considering trends and
forecasts, the Chinese economy will grow alongside the trade turnover.
Therefore, the economic dimension of our relations has always been paramount.
This is where the importance increases even more, as such meetings, in my
opinion, help the parties reach a new level,” Zhumabek Sarabekov, expert of the
Institute of World Economy and Politics, said,
According to experts, the Chinese
Belt and Road mega-project has given a powerful impetus to the development of
the transport and logistics potential of not only Kazakhstan, but the entire
region as a whole.
“Central Asia has always held a
significant historical role as an intercontinental bridge between East and West.
The creation of a land corridor across Central Asia is becoming increasingly
vital for China, which is why this program was initiated. The Belt and Road
concept allowed us to broaden our capabilities in transport, transit,
logistics, and infrastructure, providing a secure and, most importantly, the
fastest access to Europe,” said Ruslan Izimov, Director of the Synopsis China and
Central Asia Studies Center.
