Railways, investments, digital technologies - what Bishkek and Beijing agreed on

During the state visit to China on 5 February 2025, Sadyr Zhaparov, President of Kyrgyzstan, met with Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China. During the course of the talks, Xi Jinping stated that the People's Republic of China is prepared to continue expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation with Kyrgyzstan. In addition, he urged both sides to establish new growth points by expanding cooperation in cross-border e-commerce, big data and artificial intelligence. Xi Jinping acknowledged that under Sadyr Zhaparov's leadership, Kyrgyzstan has embarked on a course of independent development that is aligned with the nation's national interests. He went on to state that the current state of bilateral relations has been elevated to a new level of comprehensive strategic partnership in the current era. The Chinese President expressed China's readiness to support Kyrgyzstan in selecting a development path that aligns with its national conditions, and to collaborate with it to further integrate development strategies and expand the exchange of experiences in public administration. He further emphasised China's readiness to expand trade, economic and investment cooperation with Kyrgyzstan, and to import more high-quality Kyrgyz goods. In addition, Xi Jinping emphasised China's support for increased Chinese investment and entrepreneurial activity in Kyrgyzstan, and expressed the hope that Kyrgyzstan would provide reliable protection for the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese investors. The Chinese leader emphasised that both countries should contribute to the high-standard, high-quality construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, the reconstruction and modernisation of existing checkpoints, and the launch of more passenger and cargo flights to facilitate the movement of people and goods. Xi Jinping called for the identification of new areas of growth, with the expansion of cooperation in the sectors of cross-border e-commerce, big data and artificial intelligence being a particular point of emphasis. He further called for the effective management of the China Cultural Centre, Lu Ban Workshop and Confucius Institute, with a view to strengthening local-level exchanges. Xi Jinping emphasised that the strong ties between China and Kyrgyzstan are complemented by the close rapprochement of peoples and 'relations between the countries have reached an unprecedented level of development'.
Sadyr Zhaparov stated that Kyrgyzstan is planning to foster collaboration in a range of sectors, including industry, investment, trade, transport, e-commerce, education, and more. Additionally, Sadyr Zhaparov provided a report on the construction of factories, the establishment of joint ventures, and the implementation of projects in various sectors, including trade, engineering, logistics, transport, and e-commerce, with the involvement of Chinese investors. The Kyrgyz President assured his support for China's global development initiative and expressed his readiness to participate in large-scale projects under the 'One Belt, One Road' initiative. He further noted that Kyrgyzstan would ensure the success of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project. He further emphasised that Kyrgyzstan perceives China not only as a steadfast ally and dependable partner, but also as a motivating neighbour. The Kyrgyz leader emphasised that China serves as a global exemplar, preserving its rich traditional culture while concurrently progressing along the trajectory of modernisation. He underscored his country's eagerness to adopt the PRC's successful practices. S. Zhaparov further emphasised Kyrgyzstan's unwavering stance in its support of China, particularly with regard to the Taiwan issue, as well as matters pertaining to Xinjiang and Xiangyang.
In the course of the deliberations between the two heads of state in Beijing, the primary issues concerning the enhancement of Kyrgyz-Chinese relations on the basis of comprehensive and equitable cooperation were addressed. The two sides agreed to collaborate closely to further develop the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the China-Central Asia mechanism, as well as to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative. Following the conclusion of the talks, the two heads of state signed a joint statement on the deepening of China-Kyrgyzstan relations of comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.
During his state visit to China, the President of Kyrgyzstan also held talks with the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Li Qiang. The discussions encompassed pivotal aspects of bilateral cooperation, encompassing trade and economic relations, investment prospects, and infrastructure development projects. Special attention was paid to the development of energy, transport, digitalisation and high technologies. Premier Li Qiang observed that the timing of President Zhaparov's visit coincided with the Spring Festival, a cultural and traditional event marking the onset of a new year in China, symbolising renewal and new perspectives. He emphasised China's readiness to further strengthen its strategic partnership with Kyrgyzstan. In response, President Zhaparov expressed confidence that the 'One Belt, One Road' initiative and Kyrgyzstan's national development programme offer significant opportunities for increased trade, investment and the implementation of major projects, including the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.
A plethora of agreements, numbering over twenty, were formally ratified in Beijing, encompassing a wide range of collaborative endeavours. These encompassed the facilitation of group tourist travel, the advancement of the digital economy, the promotion of mineral resource cooperation, the alleviation of poverty, housing and urban construction, and the export of wool, beans, poultry, and other goods.
Over the past decade, Sino-Kyrgyz relations have strengthened significantly, especially in economic and infrastructure areas. China considers Kyrgyzstan to be an integral component in the execution of the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative. The primary focus of these efforts is on the development of transport corridors through Central Asia, with a particular emphasis on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan route. The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project remains a pivotal point in ongoing negotiations. Evidently, China's strategic interest lies in diversifying logistics, and the construction of this railway facilitates access to Central Asian markets and the broader Eurasian region.
China stands as a major trading partner and investor for Kyrgyzstan. The primary exports from Kyrgyzstan to China comprise agricultural products, textiles and minerals. Under the auspices of the One Belt, One Road initiative, China is undertaking significant investments in Kyrgyzstan's infrastructure, encompassing the construction of transportation networks, tunnels, and energy facilities. A notable example of this is the Torugart-2 tunnel, which was completed in 2022 and has significantly improved transport links between the two countries. Furthermore, Chinese companies have a notable presence in Kyrgyzstan, operating within the energy, mining, and telecommunications sectors.
The capital city of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, is seeking to increase Chinese investment in key sectors, including infrastructure, energy, and transport. This initiative encompasses the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. Moreover, Kyrgyzstan aims to augment its exports of agricultural products and textiles to China. The establishment of collaborative production facilities, encompassing mineral processing, has been proposed, a development that could potentially contribute to the stabilisation of the Kyrgyz economy.
Significantly, China has been investing extensively in the Kyrgyz energy sector, with projects including the construction of substations and hydropower plants. A notable project is the construction of the Datka-Kemin power transmission line, which is being financed by Chinese companies. In addition, China has expressed a keen interest in developing deposits of rare earth metals and is actively engaged in the development of mineral deposits, including gold and uranium.
It is evident that China's investment in Kyrgyzstan is driven by the desire to ensure regional stability, a factor that is of paramount importance to China's own interests. In this context, both countries have entered into a cooperative framework within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to combat common threats, including terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking.
China has been instrumental in supporting educational initiatives in Kyrgyzstan, notably through the provision of scholarships for Kyrgyz students to pursue their studies at Chinese universities. There has been a notable increase in the number of Kyrgyz students in China. Furthermore, the number of cultural exchanges, including festivals, exhibitions and joint art projects, is increasing. Furthermore, cooperation in tourism and other educational exchanges is increasing.
Gulnara Safarova

SR-CENTER.INFO