China's and Kazakhstan's initiatives to further promote regional economic integration are complementary, as both strategies have at their cores an emphasis on developing infrastructure to aid connectivity in the region, said experts.
China's "One Belt, One Road" strategy and Kazakhstan's new economic policy, "Nurly Zhol" or "The Bright Road" were discussed during a round table conference at the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries in Beijing Friday.
"The Bright Road can take advantage of Kazakhstan's geography and natural resources to aid deeper connectivity between China and other Asian countries. This will also boost the implementation of 'One Belt, One Road,' said Yang Xianghong, a research fellow from the Europe-Asia Social Development Research Institute of the Development Research Center of the State Council.
"The Silk Road Economic Belt, on the other hand, can provide financial, technical and material support for Kazakhstan's new economic policy," Yang said, noting that the cooperation in capacity will promote adjustments to Kazakhstan's economic structure.
Kazakhstan Ambassador to China Shakhrat Nuryshev said he wanted to encourage more Kazakh companies to invest in China. "We have a joint venture in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province. Kazakh goods can be exported to South East Asia and other countries such as Japan and Korea. Goods from China and other countries can also be transported to Europe via the road between Kazakhstan and China from Lianyungang," Nuryshev said in an interview with the Global Times after the meeting.
Nuryshev also stressed the importance of the Silk Road Cultural Belt in promoting cooperation between the two initiatives, noting that cultural communication and friendship between people of countries along the route is essential.
Apart from private enterprise, the role of governments is crucial to the initiatives, said experts.
"Cooperation relies on both enterprises and governments. They are the key forces in realizing cooperation," said Xu Qinhua, a professor from the Renmin University of China.
Ding Xiaoxing, a research fellow from the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, suggested there should be cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, energy, industry, agriculture and finance.
"China and Kazakhstan should consider building a high speed railway to Europe," he said at the meeting.
