Zaman Bajwa
The official bilateral diplomatic ties between Kazakhstan and China formed on January 3, 1992, and with the first visit of founding Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, the ties further strengthened. Last year both states celebrated 30 years of bilateral relations which are further prospering diplomatically as well as economically with multimillion-dollar projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The announcement of President Kassym Jomart Tokayev’s visit this year in May is being analyzed as strategically important not only for Kazakhstan but also for regional prosperity. This article will analyze their bilateral relations’ historical impact, and in what direction they are headed now. The 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and China is an important milestone in the relationship’s history. Kazakhstan and China have developed a strong and mutually beneficial partnership in a variety of disciplines over the past three decades, especially in the economic realm. Kazakhstan and China have established an economic partnership based on mutual respect and trust. In 2020, bilateral commerce with China will surpass $25 billion, making China Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner. Kazakhstan primarily exports oil, gas, and minerals to China, whereas China exports a broad variety of goods to Kazakhstan, including machinery, equipment, and consumer goods. Additionally, the two nations have established a number of collaborative ventures in diverse industries, including energy, agriculture, and infrastructure. In addition, the two nations have launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a development strategy designed to promote economic integration and connectivity among Eurasia’s nations. Kazakhstan has been a key participant in the BRI, with several significant infrastructure projects, such as the China-Kazakhstan pipeline and the Khorgos Gateway dry port, being implemented in the country. These initiatives have not only bolstered economic ties between the two nations but also fostered regional integration and cooperation. Kazakhstan and China have established a robust partnership in the field of technology, in addition to trade and investment. Chinese tech firms, such as Huawei and ZTE, have made substantial investments in Kazakhstan’s telecoms industry, and Kazakhstan has become a center for Chinese e-commerce firms, such as Alibaba and JD.com, seeking to expand into the Central Asian market. Economic relations between Kazakhstan and China have been characterized by cooperation, mutual benefit, and a shared vision of regional integration and connectivity. As the two nations continue to strengthen their economic relations and alliance, there is no doubt that they will play an ever-increasing role in shaping the future of Eurasia. Kazakhstan and China have a robust industrialization partnership within the framework of the “One Belt, One Road” (OBOR) initiative. The OBOR initiative, also known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is a Chinese development strategy initiated in 2013 to promote economic integration and connectivity among Eurasia’s nations. Kazakhstan has been a key participant in the OBOR initiative, implementing several significant infrastructure initiatives. The China-Kazakhstan Production Capacity Cooperation Fund was established to support joint industrial initiatives. Among the industries in which the fund has invested are energy, mining, and agriculture. The China-Kazakhstan Khorgos International Centre for Boundary Cooperation is one of the main projects under the OBOR initiative in Kazakhstan. This center, situated on the border of Kazakhstan and China, is a significant logistics hub and a crucial component of the OBOR initiative. The center, which consists of a dry port, a special economic zone, and a free trade zone, functions as a gateway for goods moving between China and Europe. Kazakhstan and China have established a number of joint ventures in a range of industries, in addition to infrastructure initiatives. In 2015, for instance, the Chinese firm CNPC and the Kazakh firm KazMunaiGas formed a joint venture to develop oil and gas fields in Kazakhstan. In the same year, CITIC Group and Samruk-Kazyna signed an agreement to establish a mutual investment fund to support industrial initiatives in Kazakhstan. Consequently, Kazakhstan and China’s cooperation in the field of industrialization under the OBOR initiative has strengthened economic ties and promoted regional integration and connectivity. As the OBOR initiative continues to evolve and expand, Kazakhstan and China will likely continue to strengthen their industrial partnership. Both countries are committed to strengthening their strategic partnership in a variety of disciplines, which bodes well for Kazakhstan-China relations. Kazakhstan and China are expected to strengthen their cooperation in the following sectors in the near future: The economic ties between Kazakhstan and China have grown consistently over the years, and the two nations are likely to strengthen their partnership in this area. Kazakhstan is ideally situated to serve as a center for China’s Belt and Road Initiative, providing access to Europe and Central Asia’s abundant natural resources. As China’s economy continues to grow, Kazakhstan will have numerous opportunities to supply essential materials, energy, and agricultural goods. Kazakhstan has ambitious plans to modernize its infrastructure, and China’s assistance and investment could be essential to attaining these objectives. Kazakhstan and China have already initiated a number of infrastructure projects together, including the Khorgos Gateway dry port and the China-Kazakhstan pipeline. It is likely that China will play a significant role in Kazakhstan’s efforts to diversify its economy and develop its transport, energy, and logistics sectors, as Kazakhstan seeks to do so. China is a leader in emergent technologies such as artificial intelligence and 5G, and Kazakhstan is eager to take advantage of China’s expertise in these areas. There are opportunities for deeper cooperation in areas such as e-commerce, fintech, and digital infrastructure. Chinese tech companies, such as Huawei and ZTE, have already invested significantly in Kazakhstan’s telecoms sector. Kazakhstan and China have a long history of cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and it is probable that these ties will continue to strengthen in the future. Kazakhstan is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination in China, and there is a developing interest in the Kazakh language and culture. These interactions could serve to increase mutual understanding and confidence between the two nations. Hence, the outlook for Kazakhstan-China relations is positive, and the two nations are anticipated to continue to expand their partnership in a variety of disciplines in the coming years. Pakistan, China, and Kazakhstan have a long history of cooperation, and there are a number of methods to strengthen their trilateral ties for mutual benefit. The following are some of the most important areas where trilateral cooperation could be enhanced: All three nations have robust economies with complementary assets, and ample opportunities exist for trilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and infrastructure development. Pakistan can serve as a gateway to the Middle East and South Asia, while China and Kazakhstan can provide access to their expansive markets and copious natural resources. In areas such as energy, agriculture, and textiles, trilateral cooperation could be especially advantageous. Regional Connectivity: All three nations are located at the crossroads of key regional economic and transportation corridors, and there are opportunities for trilateral cooperation to improve regional connectivity. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Kazakhstan-China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway present opportunities for trilateral cooperation in transport and logistics, for instance. Developing digital infrastructure and e-commerce could also benefit from trilateral cooperation. Pakistan, China, and Kazakhstan all confront similar security threats, such as terrorism, extremism, and regional instability. Regional security and stability could be bolstered by trilateral cooperation in counterterrorism, intelligence-sharing, and military training. People-to-People Exchanges: Trilateral cooperation in education, cultural exchanges, and tourism could serve to strengthen mutual understanding and confidence among the three nations. Pakistan, China, and Kazakhstan have distinct cultures and histories, and there are opportunities for trilateral cooperation in fields such as language study, archaeological research, and museum exhibitions. Eventually it can be established from the above jotted arguments that through cooperation in various sectors, Pakistan, China, and Kazakhstan could strengthen their trilateral ties. By cooperating in pursuit of shared goals, these nations could enhance regional connectivity, economic growth, and security while also fortifying interpersonal ties.