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A Silk Road for the 21st Century | |
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![]() Erlan Karin, State Counsellor of Kazakhstan, speaks during an event at Renmin University of China in Beijing on November 22 (COURTESY PHOTO)
As neighboring countries connected by the ancient Silk Road, China and Kazakhstan share a long history of bilateral trade and cultural exchange. In a world of constant change, these enduring ties serve as a model for bilateral and multilateral cooperation. During a recent visit to Renmin University of China in Beijing, Erlan Karin, State Counsellor of Kazakhstan, engaged with Chinese representatives from academia, think tanks and media agencies. The discussions centered on the deeply intertwined connections between the two countries. Drawing on his extensive experience in politics and his background in the teaching of history and geography, Karin offered insights into the evolution of China-Kazakhstan relations in an interview with Beijing Review reporter Peng Jiawei. He also elaborated on China's growing role in shaping a multipolar world. Edited excerpts of their conversation follow: Beijing Review: How would you describe the China-Kazakhstan relationship and what stage is it currently at? Erlan Karin: China is a great civilization with an extensive history. Kazakhstan is also a unique country where different ethnicities, cultures, value systems and traditions blend. It is a place where East meets West, where secular meets religious. As one of China's largest neighboring countries, with whom it shares a border of more than 1,000 km, Kazakhstan has long stood as a major hub on the ancient Silk Road (a network of trade and cultural routes linking China to the Mediterranean Sea across various periods in history—Ed.) And now this ancient passageway has been revived and transformed into a central component of the monumental Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—a truly grand and ambitious plan. (The BRI is a China-proposed initiative to boost connectivity along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes—Ed.) Economists like to focus on Kazakhstan's position as a transfer stop for trade along the Belt and Road routes. For me, however, the true worth of the initiative lies in its ability to foster friendship and facilitate mutual connection on a human level between China and Kazakhstan. ![]() The Horgos Port, a railway port that straddles the border between China and Kazakhstan, in Horgos, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on May 11 (XINHUA)
Like the Silk Road, the friendship between the two countries has stood the test of time and continues to take on new meanings and dimensions. I remember how a decade ago, the phrase "China-Kazakhstan relations" was just diplomatic language; now, we refer to it as a partnership. The bilateral relationship has evolved into a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, an agreement established during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to China in 2019. This phrase, in my view, perfectly encapsulates the depth and width of our bilateral relations. Kazakhstan has long harbored a deep interest in China. The country has a wide range of institutions and courses dedicated to China studies. China is also a popular destination for Kazakh students studying abroad. This interest in China has lately been on a sharp increase, thanks to the rapid elevation of bilateral ties, extensive cultural programs and a new visa policy [under an agreement on visa-free travel between the two countries]. Under this new policy, which took force in November 2023, Kazakh citizens are granted visa-free access to China [for up to 30 days each single visit and no more than cumulative 90 days in an 180-day period] and can therefore see the country for themselves. Next year, we plan to further promote bilateral exchange by integrating [Chinese digital wallet service] WeChat Pay into our payment systems. This move is just one of many policies and initiatives that will be launched in 2025, a year designated as the China-Kazakhstan Year of Tourism. [WeChat is the international version of the super app known as Weixin in China, developed by Chinese technology conglomerate Tencent—Ed.] These increased contacts have exposed Kazakh citizens to a whole new perception of China, one that sees not only its rich history but also its rapid advancement in car manufacturing, digital media and other modern industries. In a sense, Kazakhstan is undergoing a new surge of "China mania," which reflects our fascination with and keen interest in China's fast development. You have repeatedly mentioned Kazakhstan's interest in learning about China's development, especially among young Kazakh students. How can this interest in China, which is increasingly shared among members of the global community, help create a multipolar world order? When reflecting on societal progress and geopolitical shifts, we tend to rely on a fixed set of traditional theories of international relations, primarily those put forward by Western scholars. We diligently study them, follow them and use them as the foundation for forming our own thoughts. Yet these theories are all very Western-centric. According to these Western ideologies, material conditions make up the main driver of a country's development. Therefore, a nation's strength is often measured by its economic power and military prowess. These theories also teach that a country's place in the global community is largely defined by its geographical location. However, as our world becomes ever-more diverse and complex, these conventional theoretical frameworks can no longer accommodate the many shifts that are taking place in today's world. For instance, is it still fit to split the world into East and West? For any given country, where does the East end and the West begin? Being tied to certain existing blocs founded upon shared political and economic agendas has severely undermined the ability of many countries to respond to changes. The truth is that nations that are far apart or belong to opposing camps may surprisingly find themselves sharing the same set of cultural values and similar ways of thinking. And culture provides a powerful tool to break boundaries and transcend old power dynamics. When we talk about a multipolar world, a key aspect that is often overlooked is multilateralism in the intellectual realm. There are other non-Western ways of looking at the world that offer unique perspectives on how humanity should progress. These countries and regions are also entitled to express and spread their own points of view to other parts of the world. Among these non-Western ideologies, Chinese philosophy stands out from the rest due to its exceptional depth and flexibility. ![]() Kazakh students discuss a thesis at a college in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, on June 30 (XINHUA)
The country's intellectual history stretches back thousands of years, with a diverse array of works, schools of thought and philosophers spread across different time periods. These philosophical traditions are carried into our modern world by contemporary Chinese thinkers and scholars, who have introduced many refreshing ways of thinking beyond the Western-centric matrix. There is a common misconception that philosophies of countries outside Western societies tend to often lack a global perspective. However, Chinese intellectuals are deeply engaged in analyzing global trends and embracing a greater diversity of thoughts. This simultaneous fluidity and entrenchment in ancient philosophical traditions have enabled Chinese society to continuously adapt and evolve, all the while maintaining a relatively stable social structure. In an increasingly globalized world, we need new theories and thoughts to reorient ourselves according to common interests based on shared values and goals, instead of drawing lines based on our differences. This is definitely not something that can take place overnight, nor can the transition be accomplished in a few years. I once came across the works of a Chinese thinker, who stated that the formation of a new system of thoughts is not the work of one generation, but that of many. The path toward an intellectually diverse world is long and arduous, but one that is worth taking. Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon Comments to pengjiawei@cicgamericas.com |
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