Key to Interconnectivity

By+Ma+Xiaolin

Central Asia is not only the core region that witnessed the booming， prosperity and decline of the ancient Silk Road but also where Chinese President Xi Jinping first proposed the Silk Road Economic Belt to enhance connectivity among Eurasian countries in 2013. The belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road， which connects China with Southeast Asia， South Asia， the Middle East and beyond， constitute Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.

Located along the ancient Silk Road， a trade route linking China and the West， Central Asian nations have a natural sense of intimacy and security in jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt with China. Moreover， the current economic development of most Central Asian countries has lagged behind due to poor infrastructure and an imbalanced and backward economic structure. These countries have a pressing need for urbanization， modernization and industrialization.

With their close proximity to China， the Belt and Road Initiative can help facilitate Central Asian countries economic growth by supplying capital， production capacity and technologies， as well as sharing development experience. In fact， such cooperation is already taking place.

Sharing opportunities

The Belt and Road Initiative is a mutually beneficial blueprint for regional development. Central Asian nations get financial and technical support from China， and their large reserve of energy and metal resources are valuable to the Chinese economy. The Central Asia region is of strategic importance to Chinas energy security as it is home to several major suppliers of Chinas west-east gas pipeline.

There is a clear gap between China and Central Asian countries in terms of development of agriculture and industries. As neighbors， the former can transfer some of its industrial knowledge to the region.

Central Asia is one of the birthplaces of agriculture. The region has fertile land and abundant fresh water resources. However， its economic development is relatively low and the majority of local population work in farming. For example， 80 percent of the 30 million people in Uzbekistan —the most populous Central Asian country—are engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. Meanwhile， young people account for more than 60 percent of the countrys total population.

China has achieved initial success in transforming itself from an agricultural society to a modernized industrial economy. It has the experience and ability necessary to assist Central Asian countries in developing modern agriculture and light industries， such as textiles and leather garment processing， which can help speed up urbanization， increase employment and reduce the threat of a potential social and economic crisis.