15.12.2023
In the vibrant city of Astana, a truly exceptional occasion unfolded—a Seminar meticulously crafted to commemorate the 45th anniversary of China’s transformative policy of reform and openness. Spearheaded by the China Studies Centre in Astana, this distinguished gathering garnered robust backing from the “Friendship of Chinese University Alumni” community in Astana and the esteemed Eurasian National University, specifically the Faculty of International Relations.
The ongoing Seminar attracted the active participation of illustrious specialists, erudite figures from the realm of academia, and representatives from various intellectual communities. Within this dynamic forum, participants engaged in riveting discussions centered around pivotal facets and the remarkable achievements that have defined China’s trajectory over the past four and a half decades.
The commencement of the seminar unfolded with a warm welcome from the organizers, accompanied by a distinguished moment—the ceremonial presentation of the recently unveiled literary work titled “Xinjiang in the Stream of History: Between the Past and the Future”. Notably, it is worth mentioning that the genesis of this thought-provoking book was sparked by the visionary initiative of the China Studies Centre. The authors of the book are Erkin Baidarov and Gulnar Shaimergenova.
In her address, the Director of the China Studies Centre Mrs. Shaimergenova Gulnar has graciously expressed gratitude to the representatives from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, extending heartfelt thanks to all the seminar participants for their proactive support in orchestrating the event. Moreover, she acknowledged their keen interest in the topic under deliberation, underscoring the collective enthusiasm that infused the seminar with vitality. “In the context of the crisis of the Western model of globalization, it is interesting to follow how the eastern communities, which have a history of thousands of years and once played an important role in the development of mankind, are developing, connecting Asia and Europe into a single whole in the space of the Eurasian continent. One such region of the world is Xinjiang, now one of the autonomous regions of the People’s Republic of China (XUAR of China). Today, XUAR, like thousands of years ago, again connects Asia with Europe through transport and logistics routes in the context of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. The project contributes to the economic development of states along the Belt and Road, reviving the Great Silk Road and implementing the idea of a common destiny for humanity” said the Director of the Center.
Following this, the participants of the seminar were actively engaged in a dignified ceremony where they partook in the presentation of the book titled “Xinjiang in the Stream of History: Between the Past and the Future”. Co-authored by the distinguished Kazakh orientalist scholar, philosopher, and expert in the realms of international relations and intercultural/intercivilizational interaction, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor Erkin Ulanovich Baydarov, the ceremony underscored the profound contributions of this erudite scholar to the discourse.
The Director of the China Studies Centre, Gulnar Shaimergenova, inaugurated the seminar dedicated to the theme “45th anniversary of China’s reform and openness policy: implications for China and the world”. “This year marks the 45th anniversary of China’s policy of reform and openness. Over 45 years, China has become the world’s second largest economic entity, the largest industrial and trading state, and the largest country in terms of gold and foreign exchange reserves. China’s reform and opening up policy has global significance, and cooperation with Kazakhstan is an important component of this strategy. Both countries are actively promoting mutually beneficial projects in the areas of infrastructure, trade, and innovation. This helps strengthen international economic integration and creates a platform for the exchange of experience and technology. Cooperation between China and Kazakhstan is an important example of successful interaction in the context of globalization and emphasizes the key role of China in the formation of a new multipolar world,” noted the Director of the Center when opening the seminar.
In turn, High-ranking Counselor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ms. Xing Fangfang, expressed greetings to the guests and participants of the seminar. “This year marks the 45th anniversary of China’s reform and openness policy. Over the past 45 years, from economic restructuring to complete transformation to comprehensive deepening, China has promoted comprehensive, deep and three-dimensional reforms. A new realm of socialism with Chinese characteristics was opened, and China achieved its goal of surviving and becoming prosperous. Historical transformation from rise to strengthening. President Xi Jinping noted openness to promote reform. Kazakhstan is a permanent comprehensive strategic partner of China and an important contributor to China’s reform and oppenness. An important witness and participant in China’s great achievements, as well as the Belt and Road Initiative. Over the past 10 years, China and Kazakhstan have continuously strengthened political communication. In order to promote infrastructure development, unhindered trade, financial integration and people-to-people connections, both sides will jointly build mutually beneficial cooperation. “One Belt, One Road” has become a model of cooperation on a global scale. Sino-Kazakh relations in the new era are connected by important historical opportunities and broad prospects, China is ready to work with Kazakhstan to comprehensively implement cooperation. “Implementing the important consensus reached by the heads of the two states, agreeing on new development strategies and deepening cooperation in various fields is the highest goal”, said the Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of Kazakhstan in her welcoming speech.
All this took place in a unique hybrid Seminar format, which organically combined both offline and online components. Several speakers presented their presentations virtually, adding multifaceted perspectives and interactivity to the overall atmosphere. Thus, Nabizhan Mukhametzhanovich, Professor of the Faculty of International Relations of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, in his online report, shed light on some legal aspects of the development of the PRC and development paths within the framework of the policy of reform and openness.
İbrahim Orçun Göktürk, the President of the Turkish-Chinese Belt and Road Institute, (Turkiye) addressed the participants with an online address. “The Belt and Road Initiative was developed on the basis of China’s great economic development and has achieved a development miracle, in particular the great success of China’s economic development. All this was determined by the path he chose after adopting the policy of “reform and opening up.” This is the most important structural difference between the current century and the previous one. The center of world production is shifting from West to East. The decisive factor in the developing world, in particular in China, is the economic and political achievements of new rising heights with their unique approach, not striving for hegemony” noted the President of the Institute in his speech.
Professor of the Department of Constitutional and Civil Law of L.N. Gumilyov ENU, Doctor of Law., Ibragimov Zhamaladen Ibrahimuly in his speech gave an expert assessment of the development of Kazakh-Chinese relations, emphasizing the role of stability of communications of all participants in the “One Belt and Road” initiative. “Humanity has entered the era of globalization and new technologies. According to the Chinese government, the implementation of the “One Belt, One Road” project has become a new paradigm of globalization. “One Belt, One Road” is based on respect for the idea of the rule of law, which is one of the defining directions of development of the People’s Republic of China. At the same time, this project differs from American legal globalization, which has all the features of Western legal culture, since it does not follow the path of violent conquest and cultural aggression, but along the path of peaceful equal consultations and mutual benefit”, the Professor noted in his speech.
Chairman of the NGO “Friendship of University Alumni of the People’s Republic of China” Jamilya Shaizadaevna Yeleusizova also made a speech. “Kazakhs take great pleasure in participating in cultural events held by representatives of China, such as the summer course on the Chinese language, the video competition “One Belt, One Road”, the Chinese Song Competition “in the clouds of the Silk Road”, the Knowledge Competition about China, etc. All this demonstrates the limitless potential of cultural exchange between the two countries. China and Kazakhstan have entered a new “Golden 30th Anniversary” that will bring even more important results. Our countries annually achieve new developments in political relations. Both countries will continue to develop an eternal comprehensive strategic partnership and contribute to the creation of a Community with a common destiny for humanity”, noted the Chairman of the Public Association.
Abdilov Kanat Serikovich, head of the Department of Medical Law and Ethics of the Astana Medical Institute, also took an active part in the work-flow of the Seminar. Doctor PhD. “Science and technology in China at the present stage have achieved significant progress and have become one of the leading in the world. China has been actively investing in R&D and innovation, which has resulted in several outstanding achievements. Having studied the legislation of China in the field of science, we can conclude that the PRC in the field of science and technology pursues the following main goals:
• increasing highly qualified personnel potential by expanding the availability and improving the quality of education;
• a combination of centralized state policy in the field of science and technology with the attraction of private capital in the scientific and technological sector;
• inclusion of research organizations in the structure of manufacturing companies and holdings, as well as encouraging the introduction of new technologies into production;
• popularization of science and technology, formation in the public consciousness of the idea of the extreme importance of the scientific and technological base for the successful and harmonious development of the state as a whole. In conclusion, science in China is at the peak of its development. The country is a great scientific power capable of making significant contributions to the global scientific community. China continues to invest in scientific research, attracting the attention of world scientists and demonstrating its leadership initiative in solving the challenges and problems of modern science”, noted the Head of the University Department.
Bugaenko Anton, Head of the Chinese Studies Program of the Eurasian Association for International Studies. “Having decided on priorities, plans and postulates, the Chinese leadership moved on to implementing reforms. The main principle of the reform process is a step-by-step movement from what has been achieved. Reforms in China were carried out according to a clearly developed national program of “four modernizations: modernization of agriculture, industry, defense, science and technology. This program did not copy the “Western model” and did not follow the recipes of the IMF and the World Bank. The program took into account not only the real capabilities of the country, but the mentality of Chinese society. The reform program was not based on the abstract need to transition to a market at one moment, but proposed their gradual implementation, taking into account the realities of China, its traditional culture, forms of labor organization, the specifics and hierarchy of relations in Chinese society” the Head of the Association said in his speech while being on a business trip to Shanghai.
Ulan Nukan, head of the China Relations Department at KIMEP University, spoke online from Beijing, presenting his presentation at the Seminar: “Implications of BRI on Kazakhstan-China Higher Education Collaboration: a Reflection on China’s 45 years of Reform and Opening-Up”. It is remarkable to note that the speaker’s presentation was informative and full of emotions, which aroused keen interest on the part of all participants, expressed by many questions asked.
Doctor of Philosophy, Professor Erkin Ulanovich Baydarov eloquently encapsulated and succinctly analyzed the addresses delivered by each of the esteemed seminar speakers. In extending heartfelt gratitude to all participants and distinguished guests, Professor Baydarov underscored their active involvement and keen interest in the proceedings.
Undoubtedly, the contemporary landscape witnesses the pivotal significance of the strategic relationship unfolding between Kazakhstan and China, a reality emphatically affirmed by the seminar. The event served as a tangible testament to the paramount role this alliance plays on the bilateral agendas of both nations.
The Seminar, fostering a genuine space for the exchange of creative and professional insights, provided an invaluable platform for the sharing of exceptional ideas and experiences. Noteworthy was the event’s innovative hybrid format, which seamlessly blended both offline and online modes, ensuring accessibility for all those who harbored an interest in participating.
The seminar, as an effective tool in the field of international relations, plays a crucial role in strengthening mutual understanding and enhancing communication between countries. This unique event contributes to the creation of a productive platform for the exchange of ideas, experiences, and knowledge, thereby fostering the deepening of mutual relationships. This seminar has rightfully become a bridge, bridging distances between cultures and facilitating the establishment of strong partnership connections.
http://world.people.com.cn/n1/2023/1216/c1002-40140374.html
https://m.chinanews.com/wap/detail/chs/zw/10129894.shtml
Number of shows: 176
