Xi Jinping's Visit to Kazakhstan... China's Belt and Road Initiative Expands Its Reach Again

A 2-Year and 8-Month Overseas Trip... First Destination Kazakhstan
The First Place to Reveal the Belt and Road Initiative and a Gateway to Europe

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] Chinese President Xi Jinping has resumed overseas trips that were halted due to the spread of COVID-19, and attention is focused on why he chose Kazakhstan as his first destination. Kazakhstan is not only the place where President Xi first announced the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013 but is also regarded as a bridge in Central Asia connecting China and Europe.

On the 15th, local media including China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, People’s Daily, and the English-language Global Times reported continuously on President Xi’s overseas visit to Kazakhstan, stating that a "golden era" between the two countries has begun. Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev personally welcomed Xi at the airport and awarded him the highest grade of the national order, the "Order of the Golden Eagle," giving President Xi an unprecedented warm reception. The Global Times evaluated, "Choosing Kazakhstan as the first overseas destination after the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the deep relationship and uniqueness between the two countries."

Kazakhstan is a highly symbolic country as the place where President Xi first proposed the Belt and Road Initiative. Moreover, next year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative. At the same time, this year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The trade volume has also grown rapidly. According to the Chinese ambassador to Kazakhstan, the bilateral trade volume, which was about $368 million in 1992, increased to $25.25 billion last year. From January to July this year, the trade volume reached $17.67 billion, an 18.9% increase compared to the previous year, and it is expected to set a new annual record.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kazakhstan is a key passage through which the northern route of the China-Europe freight train passes, playing a pivotal role in expanding China’s trade domain. Recently, due to the inflation intensified by the war in Ukraine, trade activities between China and Central Asia have become more active, making Kazakhstan a major ally of China. In Kazakhstan, President Xi stated, "We firmly oppose foreign interference and must cooperate for lasting peace and long-term stability in our region," expressing a critical view of Western sanctions and pressure while calling for strengthened cooperation between the two countries.

Meanwhile, after visiting Uzbekistan the previous night following Kazakhstan, President Xi is also known to have a separate meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in Samarkand on the 15th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.