This year marks the 15th anniversary of China’s establishment of diplomatic relations with five Central Asian countries-Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. After becoming independent upon the breakup of the Soviet Union, they established and developed stable and sustainable ties with China on a brand new basis. Now, with close cooperation in various fields, China and Central Asian countries have become friendly and cooperative partners.

China and Central Asia’s interaction began more than 2,000 years ago. They shared a border of about 3,000 km and a mutually prosperous trade route, the Silk Road, but they also experienced separation.

The past 15 years have witnessed sound bilateral ties between China and Central Asian countries. To China, the Central Asian countries are crucial to the prosperity and social stability of its western regions; to Central Asian countries, China means not only a shortcut to the outside world but also the opportunity to attain prosperity and security.

The core of China’s Central Asia policy includes mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, friendly and neighborly relations and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. China supports Central Asian countries’ endeavor to maintain independence and sovereignty, and respects their choice of a development path. It hopes to promote regional peace and stability together with them through strengthened consultation and cooperation.

Due to their ample resources and geographical location, the five Central Asian countries have been the focus of the major powers, which have woven a complicated web of interests there. All being China’s neighbors and developing countries, the Central Asian nations occupy an important position in China’s diplomatic policy.

Central Asian leaders always stress that China is a “great country” that has attained “remarkable achievements” and affords valuable experience. They hope to develop good relations with China to stabilize their independence, enhance their positions in the world and become part of the Pacific region, where a dynamic economic atmosphere is fostered. In addition, China can offer the countries stable access to the sea. The focus of the Central Asian countries is on big countries, rich countries and neighboring countries; thus China has become their “priority choice.” Central Asian countries mainly emphasize maintaining good relations with their neighbors, expanding economic cooperation, getting powerful international support by using China’s position and influence in the world, and guaranteeing peace and security in their own countries and the whole region.

There are several factors that have determined each side’s emphasis. First is their geographical ties; second is economic cooperation that offers advantages to both sides; third is cultural ties among the various ethnic groups in both areas; fourth is the political relationship-China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the Central Asian countries are newly rising countries in the region that call for a new world economic order and oppose a unilateral world and power politics; and fifth is security needs. Both face mutual security threats and have the same interests in attacking terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as maintaining regional peace and stability.

As early as 1991, when the five Central Asian countries announced their independence one after another, China acknowledged these newborns and established diplomatic relations with them in January 1992. Border trade has resumed even earlier. Their political ties with China became close within a short time after the formal diplomatic ties were founded. Cooperation in various fields with China developed very rapidly-cross-border railways were opened in 1992. And Central Asian countries are also considering reopening the Silk Road that linked China and Europe.

A helping hand

During the early period of independence, the Central Asian countries’ economic situation was so bad that their markets could not even supply their domestic demands. When they turned to the neighbor for help, China offered support in various fields, such as clear and stable routes to the sea and regular governmental aid. Chinese enterprises and Chinese goods, which were much cheaper than those from other regions, entered Central Asia and helped the region weather the hard times.

Chinese and Central Asian leaders visited each other frequently. During their visits, statements, agreements and other cooperative documents were signed, forming a legal base for developing their good-neighborly relationship. From July 1996 to May 2002, they settled historical border disputes. In addition to regular meetings on military and security issues, the two sides also held joint military exercises. China offers Central Asian countries security guarantees and material aid. Their cultural and social cooperation also has been enhanced in recent years.

The most noticeable part is their economic cooperation; in particular, the bilateral trade volume is growing quickly. From 1992 to 2000, the trade volume grew to $1.82 billion from $460 million. In 2005, the trade volume reached $8.7 billion and in 2006 it exceeded $10 billion. Meanwhile, Chinese investment in Central Asia is more than that in Russia. The oil pipeline jointly built by China and Kazakhstan is the first overseas oil pipeline to China. Technological communication is strengthening too. To most Central Asian countries, China is the second most important partner after Russia.

Currently, China’s relations with Central Asian countries are entering a “golden age,” covering the political, economic and security areas. Leaders on both sides are hoping to promote their bilateral ties for strategic reasons. China has signed Good Neighborly, Friendly Relations and Cooperation Treaties with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, and a Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan now is the second strategic partner among Commonwealth of Independent States, excluding Russia. Those treaties mark a high standard of bilateral cooperation.

Generally speaking, relations between China and Central Asia are proceeding smoothly. However, problems still exist, such as the unbalanced trade and investment structure. In the political struggles of some Central Asian countries, the “Chinese threat” rhetoric was used by the opposition, which blamed territorial disputes, energy disputes and even the pollution in their countries on China. In addition, transport between China and some Central Asian countries, especially Turkmenistan, still is not convenient, which limits their cooperation.

Thus, their cooperation should be more practical, so as to benefit the both sides. First, political cooperation and mutual trust should be strengthened, and then they can set an example of communication between large and small countries based on equality. Second, they should enlarge their trade cooperation. The quality of economic and technological cooperation should be enhanced, new cooperative methods and channels should be developed, energy resources and markets should be fully used; and China should increase its investment in the area. Third, cooperation on cross-border transportation should be strengthened. Fourth, cooperation in the energy and non-energy fields should be developed in a balanced way; and China should help Central Asian countries enhance the competitiveness of their products. Fifth, they should work together to maintain regional stability, and create a good and safe security environment for countries in the region. Sixth, more attention should be paid to cultural and social cooperation to promote friendship and mutual understanding.

China and Central Asia have similar ideas on regional and international issues of mutual concern. Since the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was established in 2001, their cooperation has taken a new direction under that framework. Multilateral trade agreements and the large amount of aid given by China make Central Asian nations realize how important China is to the region. China’s good-neighborly strategy and new security concept can be seen in their cooperation. Central Asian governments and peoples appreciate China’s support, and therefore the future of cooperation between Central Asia and China is bright.

The author is director of the Central Asian Department of the Institute of Eastern European, Russian and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences