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As the Russian-Ukraine war prolongs, China is strengthening its involvement with five Central Asian countries. In the meantime, there are hopes that these countries may reconsider their bilateral relations with Moscow.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the 3rd China + Central Asia (C + C5) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan on June 8. C5 is Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.
The minister 10 point consensus Cooperation in areas ranging from Belt and Road projects, regional transportation connections, Afghanistan security, economics and trade investment.
The king also met with Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokaev prior to the summit, during which time he was not involved in a “power conflict” by Central Asian countries or forced to choose a side. I called.
Both sides expressed “deep concern about the serious spillover effect of the Ukrainian crisis.” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Said.
Analysts said the Russian-Ukraine War urged Central Asian countries to “reassess” their long-term bilateral relations with Russia, which has been hit by western sanctions since the invasion of Ukraine. ..
The Economist Group’s research and analysis department believes that “Central Asian countries are considering the invasion of Ukraine and changes in geopolitical conditions, so they will stay as quietly as possible from Russia without causing a reaction. I will. ” Said.
Consulting company Dezan Sila and Associates “Central Asia is becoming strategically important to China as a result of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” constraining the direct supply chain link between China and the European Union.
“Alternatives now need to increase investment in Central Asia, and Russia is also a beneficiary and co-partner of this strategy,” the company said.
China has withheld condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as justifying Moscow’s “legitimate concerns about security issues.” The two countries have declared an “unlimited” partnership on the first day of the Beijing Winter Olympics on February 4.
The United States has also been working to strengthen relations with Central Asia. Last month, Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu on South and Central Asia led the US delegation on a five-day trip to the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan.
according to US Embassy in TajikistanThe goal was to strengthen relations between Washington and the region and promote “cooperative efforts to create a more connected, prosperous and safer Central Asia.”
Also developed in Washington Central Asian Strategy In February 2020, it aims to “promote US values and counter the influence of neighboring countries in the region.”
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Aldgra Fredly is a Malaysia-based freelance writer featuring the Epoch Times Asia Pacific News.
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