A China-Central Asia Railway Express train departs from Nanchang, East China's Jiangxi Province, heading to Kazakhstan, on March 31, 2024. Photo: VCG

Editor's Note:

From July 2 to 6, Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Astana, and pay state visits to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

Ahead of the highly anticipated visits, Global Times reporters (GT) interviewed Zhang Xiao (Zhang), Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan. Zhang said that since its founding 23 years ago, the SCO has significantly contributed to regional security, stability, and prosperity. At the upcoming Astana Summit, member state leaders will reinforce the "Shanghai Spirit," featured by mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and pursuit of common development, to establish a shared future community within the SCO.

Zhang Xiao, Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Photo: Courtesy of Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan

GT: In the current context, what role does the SCO play in international and regional affairs? What are your expectations for the upcoming Astana summit?

Zhang: In the 23 years since its establishment, the SCO has evolved into the world's largest regional cooperation organization in terms of area, population, and growth potential. It serves as a vital security shield, facilitator of collaboration, bond of friendship, and positive influence in the region, playing a crucial role in enhancing regional security, stability, and prosperity. The SCO has established a fresh template for state-to-state relations founded on mutual respect, equity, fairness, justice, and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Today, the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, entering a new turbulent period. Some major powers, driven to maintain their unipolar hegemonic status, have reverted to Cold War mentality, forming exclusive alliances, imposing unilateral sanctions, erecting protectionist barriers, and weaponizing human rights and economic tools. They have even pursued decoupling, resulting in a global economic recovery slowdown. This threatens the strategic autonomy of the "Global South" and poses setbacks to the recovery and revitalization efforts of emerging markets and developing countries.

Against this backdrop, the SCO upholds its founding principles of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and pursuit of common development - encapsulated in the "Shanghai Spirit." It has pioneered a new path among international organizations by forging partnerships without forming alliances and promoting dialogue over confrontation among its member states. The SCO's principles are gaining broader acceptance, with more countries aspiring to join the "SCO family," injecting stability and positive energy into regional security, stability, and development. 

The upcoming summit will see leaders of member states further promote the "Shanghai Spirit." They will engage in in-depth discussions on enhancing SCO development and cooperation in various fields, anchoring the organization's course towards building a community with a shared future.

GT: Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1992, China and Kazakhstan have maintained close high-level exchanges and robust cooperation mechanisms at all levels. As an ambassador actively engaged in frontline diplomacy, how do you view the current China-Kazakh relations? And how should we interpret the significance of the China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership?

Zhang: China and Kazakhstan are good neighbors, friends, partners, and brothers linked by a shared destiny. Over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral ties have made significant strides, reaching a historical high as comprehensive strategic partners. I would like to use the following keywords to summarize the current state of China-Kazakhstan relations.

First, a solid foundation. High-frequency visits and meetings between leaders of both countries have fostered a strong working relationship and deep personal friendship. Robust cooperation mechanisms at various governmental levels ensure smooth communication channels.

Second, high levels of mutual trust. China and Kazakhstan firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns. We hold a highly consistent stance on international and regional issues of mutual interest, rejecting the politicization of human rights, interference in internal affairs, and double standards.

Third, mutually beneficial cooperation. China is Kazakhstan's largest trading partner. The successful implementation of the Belt and Road initiative (BRI) has led to a comprehensive, three-dimensional, and widely-covered connectivity network. New areas of collaboration in new energy, big data, and cross-border e-commerce have significantly benefited both countries' economic development and improved people's livelihoods.

Fourth, responsible engagements. China and Kazakhstan collaborate closely in implementing the three initiatives - the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. Through frameworks such as the United Nations, the SCO, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, and the China-Central Asia mechanism, both countries contribute actively to advancing a fairer and more equitable global governance system.

Currently, China has established strategic partnerships or comprehensive strategic partnerships with many countries worldwide. However, defining the China-Kazakhstan relationship as a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership is unique. 

This designation underscores the enduring nature of their friendship, rooted in the ancient Silk Road and thriving today through joint efforts in constructing the BRI. Kazakhstan, a significant country along the ancient Silk Road, has maintained longstanding friendly exchanges with China. Throughout history, the peoples of both nations have shared prosperity and challenges, overcoming hardships together and continuously enriching enduring friendship.

The two countries are deepening political trust, expanding comprehensive cooperation, and fostering a community of shared future characterized by enduring friendship, mutual trust, and shared prosperity. We collaborated in the past, jointly build together in the present, and look forward together toward the future. Thus, defining our relationship as a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership is objective, accurate, and reflects both sides' affirmation and positive expectations toward our friendship.

GT: Kazakhstan was the place where the BRI was first proposed. What achievements have been made in the joint construction of BRI? How will both sides continue to promote the high-quality development of the initiative?

Zhang: Over the past decade, the BRI has emerged as the world's largest and most widely embraced international cooperation platform. Kazakhstan, as its initiator, holds a particularly significant position in the joint construction of BRI. China and Kazakhstan's cooperation is highly pragmatic and has yielded substantial achievements, setting a global benchmark.

This year marks the first phase of advancing the BRI into a new era of high-quality development. China and Kazakhstan will uphold the principle of planning together, building together and benefiting together, jointly heading toward the next golden decade of high-quality BRI cooperation between the two nations. 

GT: Recently, some Western countries have continuously accused China of "overcapacity" in new-energy sectors. What is your opinion on this topic? How is China-Kazakhstan cooperation in these areas? What are the key sectors for future development?

Zhang: The so-called "overcapacity" in China's new-energy sector is baseless and a misleading fallacy, serving as political manipulation and an excuse to maintain economic hegemony. Behind these claims lie these countries' anti-globalization and trade protectionism, reflecting their anxieties over China's rise.

The global distribution of production capacity is an objective outcome driven by market principles and economic globalization. It requires countries to engage in the division of labor and optimize resource factors based on comparative advantages. Advocating for trade freedom in areas where they possess competitive advantages while practicing protectionism in other countries' competitive sectors is blatant double standards. In recent years, amid sluggish global economic recovery, there has been an urgent need for new economic drivers and more high-quality, efficient supply.

China's new-energy industry has developed advanced production capacities through open competition. This not only enriches global supply and promotes global green transition but also alleviates global inflationary pressures, injecting new vitality into global economic development.

China and Kazakhstan have long been pioneers in capacity cooperation. Our cooperation in capacity production meets the development needs of both sides, having made an early start, and built a solid foundation that has led to well established mechanisms, and fruitful results.

In recent years, within the framework of high-quality BRI cooperation, a few high-quality new-energy projects have successfully been implemented in Kazakhstan. Projects such as the Zhanatas wind power plant, and Turgusun hydropower station, are providing a strong impetus for local economic development and low-carbon transformation. Chinese automobile brands such as Changan, Chery, and Haval have enriched choices for Kazakh consumers and provided numerous job opportunities for local residents.

Looking ahead, China is committed to fostering constructive cooperation with Kazakhstan in policies, standards, and investments to drive industrial upgrades and economic growth in both countries. This commitment will enhance mutually beneficial economic cooperation, bringing benefits to the people of both countries.

GT: Amid the current complex international landscape, how have China and Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, cooperated? How is the cooperation injecting new momentum into building the China-Central Asia community of shared destiny?

Zhang: In May 2023, the first China-Central Asia Summit was successfully held, marking the establishment of the China-Central Asia Leaders' Meeting mechanism and ushering in a new era in bilateral relations. Amid the current global uncertainty, China and Central Asian countries are working together to address challenges and steadily advance towards building a closer China-Central Asia community of shared destiny.

Amid the current global uncertainty, China and Central Asian countries are deepening cooperation across various fields. We are jointly addressing risks and challenges, advancing the construction of a closer China-Central Asia community. Political trust is deepening, pragmatic economic cooperation is expanding, cultural exchanges are strengthening, and international cooperation is bolstering. Through regional platforms, we are ensuring stability and prosperity in Central Asia.

Both China and Central Asian countries are at a crucial stage of development, with a strong foundation for cooperation and promising prospects. China is committed to using platforms such as the SCO to enhance coordination, deepen economic cooperation, advocate for a fair multipolar world and inclusive globalization, and continuously inject new energy into building the China-Central Asia community of shared destiny.