Beijing, May 5 (Chen Tianhao) -- From May 21 to 5, the China-Central Asia Summit (hereinafter referred to as the "Summit") was held in Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, China. Ikboljon Qoraboyev, associate professor of international relations at Kazakhstan University of Humanities and Law, said in an exclusive interview with Chinanews.com that he is full of confidence in the future economic and trade cooperation between China and Kazakhstan, and said that the development goals of the "Nurly Zhol" new economic policy promoted by Kazakhstan are highly consistent with the development goals of the "Belt and Road" initiative.

Kolboyev pointed out that China is Kazakhstan's largest trading partner, and the bilateral trade volume between the two countries has been growing. In 2022, the economic and trade relations between the two countries reached a new height, and the bilateral trade volume has reached nearly 300 billion US dollars. This also makes China an important consideration in Kazakhstan's economic development and trade policy. Therefore, Kolboyev is full of confidence in the future economic and trade cooperation between China and Kazakhstan, saying that "this positive trade momentum will continue to develop."

In addition, he pointed out that Kazakhstan is one of the important countries along the "Belt and Road" and also plays an indispensable role in the "Silk Road Economic Belt". Kazakhstan has been actively promoting the Eurasian Economic Union to respond to the Belt and Road Initiative. Kazakhstan has also planned, facilitated or implemented numerous projects in cooperation between China and the Eurasian Economic Union.

Speaking about the development goals of the Belt and Road, Kolboyev said that Kazakhstan has seen the development potential of the initiative from beginning to end. The Nurly Zhol New Economic Policy, launched in 2014, aims to promote infrastructure development in Kazakhstan. Kolboyev believes that the "bright road" plan is highly consistent with the development goals of the "Belt and Road" initiative.

In 2012, the Khakhorgas Border Cooperation Center in the key project of the "Belt and Road" was closed and operated, and gradually built an "international dry port" for more than ten years; In 2014, the China-Kazakhstan Lianyungang Logistics Cooperation Base was launched, and after nearly 10 years of development, it has realized the interconnection of ocean trunk lines, deep-water ports, inland shipping, international trains and logistics stations.

Kolboyev lamented that it is precisely because of this fit that many meaningful international projects have been realized, and the exchange of professional knowledge and skills, foreign investment, Sino-Kazakh joint funding projects and various industrial projects can be unleashed to their maximum potential.

Looking to the future, Kolboyev pointed out that one of Kazakhstan's strategic goals is to develop a diversified economy. Kazakhstan wants to make breakthroughs in promoting industrialization, modernization, knowledge-based economy and digital economy. China has advantages in these areas, so he believes that the cooperation and development of the two countries in these areas is beneficial to each other.

Kolboyev further pointed out that new energy vehicles are the trend of future development by taking the new energy industry as an example. Under the joint promotion of the foreign ministers of Central Asian countries, China has exported a number of new energy vehicles to Central Asian countries through China-Europe trains, which is undoubtedly a positive signal. In addition, Kolboyev analyzed that after new energy vehicles enter the Kazakhstan market, it will drive the development of other industries, including batteries and auto parts, and promote local employment. (End)