In recent years, with the assistance of the Chinese government and enterprises, a large number of livelihood projects in Kyrgyzstan have been implemented, involving infrastructure, energy, medical care, education, water conservancy and other fields. The joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative will create opportunities for the development of Central Asia and build this region into a transcontinental transportation hub connecting east, west, south, north. Under the framework of the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, promoting the construction of transportation infrastructure between China and Kyrgyzstan will become an important measure to fully release the potential of regional transit transportation.

The Belt and Road Initiative is of great significance to all Central Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan, and will help Central Asian countries to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China. Sheradil Baktgulov, an expert on international issues at the Kyrgyz Institute for National Strategic Studies, said this in an interview a few days ago.

Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan are deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with their major trading partner, China, thanks to China's Belt and Road Initiative and road transport corridors between Central Asian countries. Baktegulov said that for us, this initiative first ensures food security and employment for ordinary people in Kyrgyzstan. The Belt and Road Initiative provides Kyrgyzstan with a sea route. Through the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, China transits Central Asian countries to deliver goods to countries in the Middle East and Southern Europe, and Central Asian countries can supply goods to Southeast Asian countries through Chinese ports.

Baktygulov said that the Belt and Road Initiative has promoted people-to-people exchanges and people-to-people bonds among countries along the route. When we talk about the Belt and Road Initiative, we must not only see the economic effects brought about by the initiative, but also recognize that it has laid the foundation for long-term cooperation among countries along the route. He said that Kyrgyzstan regards China as a good neighbor and is willing to continuously strengthen friendly cooperation with China. China's global development initiatives are more equitable and take into account the ideas, wishes and characteristics of all countries in the world. Peace is the key to prosperity. Therefore, Kyrgyzstan will take practical actions to support China's peace initiative.

In the new context of geopolitical turmoil, some of the extraterritorial powers far from Central Asia are seeking to initiate a process that could disrupt the peace that has prevailed in the region for the past 30 years. This is worrying. Baktygulov said that China advocates the establishment of peaceful, friendly and cooperative relations in Central Asia, and is willing to promote mutually beneficial cooperation and peaceful development among all countries. The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China also includes these concepts. In this regard, China deserves Respect and support.

Baktygulov said: China has never forced Central Asian countries to choose sides. Different from Western countries, China is a responsible big country, and it respects the choices of Central Asian countries.Editor/Ma Xue