'Read my lips'

In September, the eyes of the entire political establishment of the world were turned towards one of the largest countries in the Central Asian region - Kazakhstan. The fact is that for two days, this republic was visited by two powerful people of this world – Pope Francis and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. And if the visit of the first was marked by participation in the traditional Congress of Leaders of World Religions and the Apostolic Mass, then the arrival and the words uttered by the president of the People's Republic of China in Kazakhstan became a clear message for those who are still making plans to redraw the state borders between the former Soviet republics. 

We are all used to the fact that the language of diplomacy, even in the most acute situations, most often sounds streamlined, without specific specifics, and somewhat vague.

Especially in this, as truly Oriental people, the Chinese have succeeded, whose language of diplomacy is intricately ornate like their hieroglyphs.  But, apparently, the time of half-hints and half-gestures has passed, even if the President of the People's Republic of China began to speak quite openly and unequivocally about what his closest neighbours and trading partners would not like to hear.

Thus, during his visit to Kazakhstan on September 14, President Xi Jinping made it clear in his statements that China will make every effort to prevent the situation in this country from being undermined by external forces and intends to support Kazakhstan in regional and international issues.

"No matter how the international situation changes, we will continue to resolutely support Kazakhstan in protecting independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, firmly support the reforms you are carrying out to ensure stability and development, categorically oppose interference by any forces in the internal affairs of your country," the Chinese president said.

This statement indicates that the Chinese leadership will not allow aggressive actions by external political players against Kazakhstan aimed at trampling the foundations of its statehood and territorial integrity. And the fact that such a scenario is possible became clear after Putin announced the so-called "special operation" in Ukraine. From time to time, in neighbouring Russia, some politicians, public figures and political scientists openly claim the so-called "northern territories" of Kazakhstan, despite the fact that Kazakhstan is a strategic partner and a friendly state to the Russian Federation and is in several economic and military-political alliances with it. At the same time, the strangest thing for the Kazakhs is that none of the Kremlin figures stops or condemns such attacks against an ally…

The Chinese leadership is closely monitoring the internal situation in Kazakhstan, where President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has outlined his goal to be elected for a seven-year term, during which he intends to implement many investment projects in which China is also involved. In this regard, the possibility of creating a hotbed of tension near its borders and the risks of losing investment deposits do not appeal to the leadership of the PRC. After all, over the past 15 years alone, China has invested almost $29 billion in the economy of Kazakhstan. At the same time, 18 Kazakh-Chinese projects worth $4.3 billion were put into operation, mainly in the oil and gas industry.

For thirty years of independence, Kazakhstan has managed to prove itself as a peace-loving sovereign state, create a positive image of a business partner and develop a multi-vector foreign policy, preserve interethnic and interfaith harmony. 

The latter factor became decisive in organizing the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, unique in its form and content, in which Pope Francis took part for the first time (Pope John Paul II visited Kazakhstan on an apostolic visit in September 2001, but did not participate in the congress).  Over the years of its existence, this forum has become an effective dialogue platform for meetings of representatives of all existing spiritual confessions, thereby turning Kazakhstan into a kind of "hub" of beliefs and tolerance.

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