Bishkek, May 19, 2023. /Kabar/. We are aimed at strengthening political contacts, accelerated development of trade and economic ties, joining forces in countering traditional and new threats and challenges to peace, security, stability and development in the region, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov told at the Central Asia – China Summit in Xi'an, where he took part as part of his state visit to the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Before the start of the Summit, a ceremony of joint photographing of the leaders of the Central Asian countries and Chinese President Xi Jinping took place.
In his speech, Sadyr Zhaparov emphasized the symbolism of holding the first Central Asia-China Summit in the ancient capital, the city of Xi'an. It is in this ancient city that the Great Silk Road originates.
“In this regard, I would like to note that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the announcement by President Xi Jinping of the One Belt, One Road initiative, which has acquired a global scope and dimension. This initiative is especially relevant and in demand today. I am convinced that today's Summit will give new momentum to the deepening and expansion of traditionally friendly relations between our countries and China,” Sadyr Zhaparov said.
He noted that the agenda of the Summit fully reflects the common goals and desire for multifaceted cooperation for the benefit of common development.
“The Kyrgyz side is ready for active work in all areas of cooperation within the framework of the Central Asia - China format. I consider it important to note that our Chinese friends have done a great job in preparing today's first face-to-face summit. Through joint efforts, the Xi'an Declaration was prepared and agreed upon. It is intended to become an important conceptual document that defines the main ways of interaction,” the president added.
The head of state indicated that the list of agreements and initiatives based on the results of the Summit provides for specific decisions and intentions in priority areas of cooperation. More than 10 mechanisms and platforms for joint work are being created, which indicates the great potential and relevance of the format.
“I am sure that these documents meet the interests of our countries and the common interests of long-term joint development. The idea of establishing a special body - the Secretariat, which could coordinate the overall work, arouses interest. I believe that the foreign ministries of our countries will offer us a mutually acceptable and effective working mechanism,” Sadyr Zhaparov said.
Speaking in general about the Central Asian region, its potential, development prospects, the president drew attention to some points. In Kyrgyzstan, people say: "A good neighbor is closer than a distant relative."
“For all of us, the highest blessing is that our peoples and countries from time immemorial to this day have maintained excellent relations with great China - our good neighbor, reliable friend and partner. For our countries, this can become a great advantage if our region is formed as a single geo-economic space in which all forms of economic cooperation and interaction are successfully formed. I am sure that the joint implementation of China's One Belt, One Road and its integration with the national development strategies of our countries, will give a powerful economic effect," Sadyr Zhaparov emphasized.
In this context, he noted that the growth driver for the economies of Central Asia is the development of regional transit, transport, and logistics potential. Its priority active development stimulates integration into the world economy and ensures connectivity within the region. Sadyr Zhaparov voiced the Chinese proverb: "If you want to get rich, build a road."
In this regard, the head of state outlined the importance of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway construction project, which is designed to become an important link in the One Belt, One Road. The implementation of this strategic project will lead the region out of the transport impasse, connect about 4 billion people, expand the geography of transportation from Asia through Turkey to Europe, the Middle East, Iran, the Persian Gulf and North Africa.
“Given the trends in the formation of multipolarity, it is important that our region becomes a geopolitical mediator through which favorable interaction of world centers of influence is carried out. China plays its important positive role as one of the authoritative and influential world powers with a creative positive agenda. The countries of the region will succeed if they interact as actively developing communities that share and adhere to similar cultural, historical and traditional values and perceptions. It is axiomatic that the strengthening of political dialogue, the expansion of trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties, the adoption of practical measures to implement joint infrastructure, socio-economic projects in our countries will have the most beneficial effect on sustainable development, maintaining peace and stability in the region. It can be noted that the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the threat of sanctions imposed by individual countries due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, can and already have a negative impact on the economies of our countries. This requires us to consolidate efforts in order to ensure the economic well-being of our peoples, strengthen security, including food and energy,” the president added
Among the specific plans that are indicated in the list of agreements, Sadyr Zhaparov noted the particular importance of such ideas and tasks as the development of a joint Strategy for a new economic dialogue "Central Asia - China"; increasing the interconnectedness of digital and green infrastructure; creation of a Data Bank of priority greeninvestment projects; spreading the practice of "express corridor" for customs clearance of agricultural and food products at checkpoints; interaction in the field of "smart" agriculture, exchange of experience in the implementation of water-saving, "green" and highly efficient technologies.
At the same time, the head of state drew the attention of the Summit participants to the fact that practical steps are being taken in Kyrgyzstan to improve the investment climate and attract foreign investments. Kyrgyzstan is working to attract investments in agriculture, industry, transport, and energy.
“We support the initiative of the Chinese side to create the Investment and Financial Platform Central Asia-China. In addition, we pin great hopes on the effective and productive work of the new platforms created as a result of our Summit, such as the Mechanisms for the meeting and Meetings of the Ministers of Economy and Trade, Investments and Industry, Agriculture, as well as Heads of Customs Services within the framework of the Central Asia – China. It is important to provide enterprises and business circles with favorable conditions for economic activity, doing business, implementing joint economic projects, and removing barriers and obstacles in trade and economic cooperation. In this vein, we welcome the establishment of the Central Asia-China Business Council,” Sadyr Zhaparov emphasized.
Another competitive advantage of the Central Asian region, the president called the wealth of natural raw materials, primarily mineral and energy resources, a huge potential for joint mutually beneficial cooperation and development.
“In Kyrgyzstan, almost all of the energy produced is green, since it comes from hydropower. We have so far used only about 13% of our potential. For the development of this key sector, our country needs foreign investment, and we are ready for the closest cooperation in this area. We invite foreign companies to consider their participation in the construction of small and medium-sized hydroelectric power plants, renewable energy sources in Kyrgyzstan. Taking into account the fact that we can supply our electricity to countries with a total population of over 2 billion people, there is no doubt that we will receive not only material, but also environmental dividends for our entire region. In this vein, we support the idea of creating partnerships Central Asia - China on energy development. Our region has a unique history, a rich and diverse cultural heritage and great potential for cooperation. Our countries and peoples are linked by many historical and cultural points of contact, common traditions, good neighborly relations,” he said.
The head of state added that the cultural and humanitarian heritage of Central Asia and China is associated with priceless masterpieces of art, monuments of spiritual and material culture, the greatest thinkers who have made an invaluable contribution to world culture. It is important to increase the overall humanitarian potential and carry out concrete work in the fields of culture, education, science, healthcare, and tourism. Kyrgyzstan welcomes the launch of the Year of Culture and Art of the Peoples of Central Asia and China and the Youth Arts Festival Central Asia - China.
At the same time, Sadyr Zhaparov noted that the countries of Central Asia and China, being the founding states, are actively working within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. At the initiative of Uzbekistan, the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, the 5th anniversary meeting of which is planned to be held in Dushanbe this autumn, has been successfully launched. In July 2022, in the city of Cholpon-Ata, at the 4th meeting, the three countries signed the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation for the Development of Central Asia in the 21st century, which is designed to strengthen good neighborly and friendly relations.
In this regard, the president noted that since gaining state independence, the Kyrgyz Republic has been adhering to a peace-loving policy and showing a constructive approach in resolving issues of border settlement.
“Together with the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kazakhstan, we have successfully completed the delimitation and demarcation of the state border. Together with the Republic of Uzbekistan, the issue of delimitation of the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border has been successfully completed. Now we are actively working with our Uzbek colleagues to complete the demarcation of the border. In the same vein, in the spirit of friendship and good neighborliness, we are determined to work with Tajikistan. Kyrgyzstan expresses support for the initiative of the Chinese side on global security. We support the creative ideas of Chinese President Xi Jinping to create a community with a common destiny for mankind, initiatives for global development and global civilization. We highly appreciate the important role and significance of these ideas in the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda. We also highly appreciate the active efforts of the Chinese side to create a community of common destiny for neighboring countries. I think that this will make a great contribution to strengthening friendship, good neighborliness and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the countries of Central Asia,” Sadyr Zhaparov concluded.
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