New horizons of Central Asia-China cooperation

Diplomats and international experts discussed security issues in the Central Asian region. The first forum of think tanks of China and Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan was held in Beijing. Participants noted that the early resolution of the situation in Afghanistan is an important factor in maintaining and strengthening stability in Central Asia and this requires strengthened cooperation. According to the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, the forum is a concrete measure to implement the agreements reached at the meeting of the foreign ministers of China and the five Central Asian nations in May this year. In fact, the forum is a real mechanism of multilateral exchange between the think tanks of China and Central Asia.

“China and the Central Asian countries are located close to Afghanistan and border thousands of kilometres. The situation in Afghanistan is closely linked and inseparable from regional security and stability. Afghanistan is currently facing a serious humanitarian crisis and the risk of refugee flows. As a neighbouring country, China is actively providing Afghanistan with the necessary emergency assistance and anti-epidemic support, as well as implementing its 200 million yuan emergency humanitarian assistance programme for Afghanistan,” said Le Yucheng, China’s Vice Foreign Minister.

“The position of our State is well expressed by the words of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev that say: "Whatever our political views and personal convictions, we must not leave Afghanistan alone with unprecedented difficulties."  A practical contribution to this is humanitarian aid to the Afghan people. Such an approach is accompanied by consistent action from Kazakhstan. Thus, we have begun to supply food and essential goods. 5,000 tonnes of flour were sent to Afghanistan as humanitarian aid,” added Erlan Karin, Assistant to President of Kazakhstan.

Translation and editing by Assem Zhanmukhanova