Editor's note: Zhang Yifeng is the Deputy Director of Shanghai Cooperation Organization Research Center, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author’s opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.  

On June 15, 2019, the fifth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) was held in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, the theme of which is “Shared Vision for a Secure and More Prosperous CICA Region”. In face of the new situation in the region and the world, the CICA is held with Tajikistan performing the presidency immediately after the Bishkek Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). 

The back-to-back meeting schedule is of great significance to countries in Central Asia, because it is conducive to forging regional cooperative governance on the Afghan issue and promoting the cooperation and synergy between the SCO and CICA.

Heightened sense of ownership of the Central Asian countries

As the initiator of CICA, Kazakhstan has made unremitting efforts to garner the support from the countries in Central Asia for the development and growth of CICA. Thanks to such efforts, Central Asia has become an important stakeholder of CICA.

In recent years, the relations between the countries in Central Asia have seen unprecedented development. Since Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev came into power, he has drastically changed foreign policies towards the neighboring countries while other Central Asian countries have responded positively. 

Disputes and differences over borders and water resources that have long plagued the relations between Central Asian countries have been greatly eased. The leaders of Central Asian countries are developing stronger sense of ownership in regional affairs. The coordination of actions and positions on relevant issues has been strengthened significantly, pushing the region as a whole to play a greater role in the international arena. 

In June 2019, the SCO summit and the CICA summit are held successively in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The leaders of the member states and observer states of the SCO and CICA gather to set off a wave of cooperation and promote dialogues among the Central Asian countries. 

After a lapse of 13 years, CICA returns to Central Asia. Central Asian countries attempt to make the most of CICA summit to raise their security concerns and set priorities and directions for cooperation, creating opportunities for highlighting the policy ideas and cooperation initiatives made by Central Asian countries.

Deepening security cooperation by addressing the Afghan issue

At present, Afghanistan is weighed down by many problems, such as terrorism, drug crimes, arms trafficking, illegal migration and so on, leading to grave security threats. It has become the main source of instability for regional security. 

Its neighbors in central Asia including Tajikistan faces security threats that cannot be ignored, especially terrorism and drug crimes. As a cooperation mechanism focusing on Asian security issues, the CICA summit in Dushanbe must address the Afghan issue. 

Cooperation between China and Tajikistan on the issue has made some headway. In August 2016, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan established a counter-terrorism cooperation mechanism with a special focus on border control. China also funded Tajikistan to build border posts along its border with Afghanistan. 

The border defense forces of China and Tajikistan held regular meetings and established cooperation mechanisms such as information sharing and regular joint patrols.

In addition, China, Tajikistan and Afghanistan also sent border forces to carry out joint patrols in the Wakhan Corridor. In September 2017, China and Tajikistan established an intelligence sharing mechanism on violent terrorism, ethnic separatism, religious extremism and drug smuggling, which became an important accomplishment for China and Tajikistan in building a comprehensive strategic partnership. In April 2018, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan held a joint anti-terrorism military exercise.

On May 21, 2014, President Xi Jinping put forward the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security for Asia at the Fourth Summit of CICA, providing new concepts and momentum to the development of CICA. 

From 2014 to 2018, China, during its presidency of CICA, strengthened the capacity-building and mechanism improvement of CICA, laying a solid foundation for CICA’s future success. China shares the same security concerns with CICA member states including Tajikistan. Tajikistan’s assumption of the chairmanship and the CICA Summit in Dushanbe will further promote CICA’s security cooperation on the Afghan issue. 

Promoting cooperation and synergy between the SCO and CICA

Both based in Eurasia, one as a regional cooperation organization and the other as a cooperation mechanism, the SCO and CICA have deep ties. The SCO has eight member states and four observer states. Except for Belarus, which is an observer state of CICA, the other 11 SCO members are also founding members of CICA. The intertwined relations between the SCO and CICA mean that they share common interests and goals on a number of issues.

Moreover, diplomats from Central Asian countries hold important positions in the SCO and CICA. These appointments have created favorable conditions for promoting cooperation and synergy between the two institutions.

The deepening cooperation between CICA and the SCO is good for regional security and prosperity which are the two major themes of the CICA Summit in Dushanbe. As a multilateral cooperation mechanism that focuses on Asian security issues, CICA is a place to discuss security as a means to the end of prosperity.

(Cover: Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon at a welcoming ceremony before the 5th summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia in Duschanbe, June 15, 2019. /VCG Photo)

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