Xi Jinping Engages in Summit Diplomacy with Five Countries, Targeting the U.S. with “Defense of Multilateralism,” and Pursuing Practical Diplomacy like Strengthening the Belt and Road Initiative.
Xi Jinping, President of China, commenced a schedule of the “China-Central Asia Five-Country Summit” with a meeting with Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. While the U.S. and Russia focus keenly on the Israel-Iran conflict, China is seen to be engaging in practical diplomacy.
According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Xi, while visiting Kazakhstan for the second China-Central Asia Five-Country Summit, arrived in the capital Astana and held a meeting with President Tokayev.
President Xi stated that China and Kazakhstan should “firmly uphold an international system centered on the UN and a rules-based international order amid the complex international situation.” He also mentioned that the two nations should “practice genuine multilateralism and clearly safeguard the shared interests of developing countries.”
These statements are interpreted as being aimed at the United States. China has positioned itself as a defender of multilateralism and free trade, criticizing the U.S.’s unilateralism, especially after former President Donald Trump initiated a tariff war.
Furthermore, President Xi emphasized strengthening cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and jointly addressing terrorism, separatism, and extremism. President Tokayev praised China as “a good neighbor and a reliable strategic partner,” appreciating China’s efforts for a fair world order. The two leaders signed over ten memorandums of understanding in energy, technology, and infrastructure.
Xi’s visit to Kazakhstan coincided with the G7 Summit in Canada, attracting attention. He held a summit with leaders from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, with discussions expected on simplifying customs procedures, abolishing tariffs, and lowering non-tariff barriers between China and the five Central Asian countries.
Given the strategic importance of Iran, China’s ally and neighbor to Turkmenistan, discussions may also touch on the Israel-Iran conflict, considering regional security.
Central Asia has gained attention due to heightened geopolitical conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war. Rich in uranium, oil, and rare earth metals, it holds significant importance in the Belt and Road Initiative. Since the onset of the Ukraine war, China has replaced Russia as the main trading partner for the five Central Asian countries. In July, construction is scheduled to begin on a cross-border railway connecting China’s Sichuan Province and Uzbekistan.
Russia is reportedly wary of China’s growing influence in Central Asia. Al Jazeera noted, “China is competing not only with the U.S. but also with Russia in Central Asia.”