Kazakh leader’s visit to East Turkistan raises questions

The Kazakh President, Tokayev, visited Urumqi on his way back from the third "One Belt, One Road" meeting held in Beijing. During his stop in Urumqi on October 18, President Tokayev met with the Secretary of the Party Committee for the Uyghur Region (East Turkistan), Ma Xingrui, and the head of the Uyghur Region government, Arkin Tuniyaz. According to reports from China and Kazakhstan, the two sides emphasized the enhancement and deepening of mutual cooperation in important areas.
According to the "Aqorda" news network, President Tokayev stated that Kazakhstan is ready to supply China with various products, such as minerals, petroleum, chemical industries, food products, construction materials, and more, increasing its production. Kazakhstan can be a stable source of environmentally friendly agricultural products for the Chinese market.
It was not mentioned whether issues such as the human rights of Kazakh citizens in East Turkistan, Kazakh prisoners in Chinese detention camps, or the reunification of Kazakhs trapped in East Turkistan with their families in Kazakhstan were on the agenda. Media outlets from both sides did not discuss these sensitive topics. Kazakhstan has been accused of remaining silent and even refusing political asylum for Uyghurs, despite millions of Uyghurs, Kazakhs and other Turkish nationalities being abducted and imprisoned in Chinese camps since 2017 in East Turkistan.
The "Aqorda" news agency mentioned that Tokayev also emphasized the importance of building the third railway line between Kazakhstan and China and urged the project's implementation in the near future. The report also noted that the parties discussed water infrastructure issues, the use of cross-border rivers, and tourism exchange. Tokayev also highlighted the historical, cultural, and human relationships between Kazakhstan and the Uyghur Region (East Turkistan).
Ma Xingrui stressed the importance of implementing the agreements reached during the meeting between Tokayev and Xi Jinping and the "One Belt, One Road" plan. This marks Tokayev's first visit to the Uyghur Region (East Turkistan) since taking office as President of Kazakhstan.