International Affairs - The Times Of Central Asia

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Kazakhstan’s President Addresses Regional Threats

In preparation for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana later this year, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with security council secretaries of SCO member states: China, Russia, India, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. In his speech on April 3rd, the president began by reiterating the fact that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization had been created to ensure stability and security in the region by curbing the ‘three forces of evil’: terrorism, separatism, and extremism: “These threats - are being transformed, acquiring new severity. We, in turn, need more systematic and decisive responses. We must not allow manifestations of terrorism, extremism, and separatism to be used to undermine internal stability in our states. Countering the ‘three forces of evil,’ as well as transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and cybersecurity challenges, is one of the priorities of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in the SCO.” He continued by stating the need for an SCO Cooperation Program to counter terrorism, separatism, and extremism for 2025-2027, and the adoption of the SCO Anti-Drug Strategy for 2024-2029. Turning to the situation in Afghanistan, the Kazakh president advised that SCO members paid due attention to developments to prevent the use of its territory by international terrorist groups. He also stressed the importance of continued efforts to alleviate the country’s humanitarian crisis and create conditions for its long-term stabilization. Emphasis was also placed on conflict in the Middle East which remains a serious factor in undermining security: “Its tragic consequences were felt by civilians. Irreparable damage has been caused to regional stability. High-level diplomacy is needed to prevent further escalation. I firmly believe that our organization, representing half the world’s population, can offer a formula for a safe and just world.”

Kyrgyzstan and China’s Xinjiang Expand Economic Cooperation

On April 2nd, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov met Chairman of the Government of China’s western Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Erkin Tuniyaz in Bishkek. With the participation of business representatives of more than 50 Chinese companies, discussions focused on proposals for digitalization, transport, logistics, investment, agriculture, and humanitarian projects. President Japarov stated that China is one of his country’s main trade and investment partners and noted the successful progress of the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway; the largest joint project to date. He also emphasized the importance of increasing cooperation with the XUAR and accelerating the practical implementation of further joint projects, adding that Kyrgyzstan is ready to expand and strengthen cooperation with China within the Belt and Road initiative and the Central Asia-China format. A key topic of discussions was the expansion of bilateral cooperation in rare metals mining, the opening of a new air route between the Kyrgyz city of Osh and Xinjiang’s Kashgar, and the establishment of joint commercial and industrial parks. Erkin Tuniyaz also met the Chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov, who said that “In trade and economic cooperation, we rely on Xinjiang; this region of China is for us a kind of gateway to your country.” According to Chinese statistics, trade turnover between the two countries in 2023 amounted to $19.8 billion; an increase of 30% since 2022.

Launch of Central Asia–China Secretariat

The opening ceremony of the Central Asia–China Secretariat on March 30th in Xi’an in China’s Shaanxi province was attended by China’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alibek Bakaev, and ambassadors of five Central Asian countries to China. The establishment the Central Asia–China Secretariat, described by Deputy Minister Bakaev as a significant factor in regional politics, was mooted at the first summit of Central Asian countries and China last year following the adoption with the Xi’an Declaration. In his congratulatory address, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi commended existing cooperation between the participants under the China-Central Asia mechanism, initiated four years ago, and stated that the establishment of the Secretariat demonstrates globally, the staunch determination of China and all five Central Asian countries to further collaboration on mutually beneficial developments. According to Sun Weidong, China's deputy foreign minister, the key responsibility of the Secretariat is serving the cooperation mechanism in key areas and to prepare for the next China-Central Asia summit.

Kazakhstan and China Strengthen Strategic Partnership

On 29 March Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murat Nurtleu visited China for the first meeting concerning the establishment of the Strategic Dialogue between Kazakhstan and China. Following discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on political, trade, economic, investment, and cultural cooperation, Minister Nurtleu reported: “We attach great importance to the development of relations with Beijing. We have established a comprehensive strategic partnership, which is being strengthened through personal friendly contacts of our leaders.” Citing the fact that in 2023, China became the Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner, with an increase in turnover of bilateral trade of over 30% to 41 billion US dollars, he emphasized the need for further promotion of joint economic, transport and logistics projects within the framework of China’s Belt and Road initiative. In turn, the Chinese Foreign Minister stated, “Kazakhstan is our authoritative strategic partner in the region” and announced that China is ready to fully strengthen and enhance cooperation with Kazakhstan. The ministers also noted that the significant intensification of cooperation between the two countries was largely due to the introduction of the mutual visa-free regime implemented in November last year.

Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China

The Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China was officially launched in Beijing on 28-29 March. The occasion was marked by several events including a Kazakh-Chinese forum on the development of tourism and investment, an exhibition representing Kazakhstan’s various regions, cultural activities staged in an ethno-village, and a gala concert. In his welcoming speech at the Kazakh-Chinese tourism and investment forum, Ermek Marzhikpayev, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan, said: “The Year of Tourism of Kazakhstan in the People's Republic of China is a landmark event that helps strengthen friendly relations between the two countries. We believe that our dialogue will give new breath and new horizons for partnership in the field of tourism, creating the basis for fruitful and long-term cooperation.” He added that Kazakhstan’s rich nomadic culture, centuries-old history, and unique natural landscape has much to offer to travellers with wide-ranging interests. Kairat Sadvakasov, chairman of Kazakh Tourism national company, likewise celebrated the launch saying, “We are convinced that Kazakhstan is one of the most attractive destinations for Chinese tourists, being not just a friendly and neighboring country with a visa-free regime, but also a strategic partner of the 'Belt and Road' Initiative. We offer tourists engagement with the concept of ‘Eco-Ethnic-Entertainment-Events’ including: ecotourism, ethno-tourism, and cultural entertainment.” China was second only to Russia in the list of countries whose citizens visited Kazakhstan in 2023. According to official statistics, over the first nine months of last year, more than 75,000 Chinese tourists stayed in Kazakh hotels, and a total of over 200,000 visitors from China visited Kazakhstan.

Kyrgyzstan Assassination Plot: Suspected Crime Boss Raimbek Matraimov Held in Pretrial Detention

The corrupt Kyrgyz oligarch Raimbek Matraimov will spend the next month in pretrial detention in Bishkek, after the former deputy head of Kyrgyzstan’s customs service was extradited from Azerbaijan on Tuesday. Matraimov, once known as the country’s “kingmaker” for the influence his clan held over the Kyrgyz Government, was found to have profited from corrupt schemes he ran at the customs service, laundering at least $700 million for himself by allowing companies to evade import fees. In October 2020, upon the formation of a new government led by President Sadyr Japarov, Matraimov was ordered to repay $22.3 million in damages and restitution back to the state. However, rather than fall in line with Kyrgyzstan’s crackdown on organized crime, in recent years Raimbek Matraimov appears to have remained outside the law. The former official is now suspected of orchestrating a recent plot to assassinate members of Kyrgyzstan’s current leadership in retribution for the government’s fight against organized crime. It is the discovery of this plot that led Kyrgyz law enforcement to request Matraimov’s extradition this week from Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, along with his three brothers, Tilek, Islambek, and Ruslan. Of the Matraimov brothers’ seizure in Azerbaijan, the Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security (CNSK) commented: “In this regard, on March 22, employees of the CNSK carried out operational and investigative measures, as a result of which all the above-mentioned persons were detained [in Baku]. Currently, investigative measures are being carried out to bring them to justice, according to the laws of Kyrgyzstan.” On Wednesday, March 27, the Birinchi Mai district court in Bishkek ruled that Raimbek Matraimov must stay in pretrial detention at the CNSK’s detention center until at least April 26. Officially, he is suspected of “money laundering and the abduction and illegal incarceration of unnamed individuals”. Matraimov had already been placed on the U.S. Treasury Department’s sanctions list, and the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (the ‘Magnitsky Act’), for his previous crimes at the customs service.