Empire of the Ring

Xinjiang Uyghur was wide enough to occupy a tenth of China’s territory.

The total population was about 25 million, which was more than Kazakhstan’s population. Among them, nine million people were Uyghurs excluding the Han people and three million people were ethnic Kazakhs and others. If only Kazakhstan could receive the Turkic people from Xinjiang Uyghur except for the Han people, Kazakhstan would be able to resolve the issue of population shortage, but people would not easily give up their land where they lived for generations.

Youngho was thinking of achieving Uyghurs’ independence even at the cost of the sacrifices of the members of Uyghur anti-government organizations, which were receiving funds from the Kazakh government and the U.S. CIS. However, more than half of Xinjiang Uyghur’s territory was dominated by Han Chinese, so even if the region became independent, conflicts with Han would not be over.

Many Uyghurs were pushed by the Han people and lived mostly in border areas, and it was uncertain whether they would be able to leave Xinjiang Uyghur to live in Kazakhstan.

For China, Xinjiang Uyghur was on its way to the Eurasian continent, so it could not let go of the region. The Chinese government would try to secure the land even if it would have to expel all Uyghurs.

For Kazakhstan, Uyghur was a buffer zone with China, but it was also not a foreign country since many Kazakhs lived in the region too. They shared the same sentiment historically.

“Eriksson, why don’t we expand our investment in the free economic zone of Khorgas? It’ll be an excuse for us to accept the Uyghurs naturally.”

“If you invest, the Chinese government will be encouraged. Since we have been pressuring the Chinese government for a while, it is necessary to take a more conciliatory approach.”

“I’m worried about how the Uyghurs will perceive Kazakhstan. If we invest in the Khorgas free economic zone, it’s like an act of impeding their independence.”

“Your Highness, you might disagree with this, but Xinjiang Uyghur’s independence is practically impossible.”

“What are you saying?”

Eriksson often surprised Youngho by jumping into conclusions first without explanation.

“I’m saying it’s impossible at this moment. It won’t happen unless there’s an uncontrollable economic crisis in China.”

“I see. There’s no way to put pressure on China economically at this point.”

“You can block the export route, but it’s such a huge country that it will be able to withstand through its domestic supplies only.”

“Khorgas is a double-edged sword.”

“Yes. If we make investments, we’ll be helping China on one side but, it’s also a great opportunity for us. Take this opportunity to secure Kazakhstan’s trading zone.”

From the early 2000s, Trans China Railway began to gain popularity from people to transport their goods, personal cargo, and cargo from Chinese companies, and the amount of logistics volume being transported explosively increased.

There were big global electronics companies such as Dell, HP, and Apple located inland of China, and it was not easy for them to ship cargo to the eastern port. It would take them more than 40 to 50 days to ship their cargo to Europe if they were transported to a trading port in Shanghai or Ningbo to be shipped on a large vessel. Thus, it was two to three weeks faster for them to send their goods through Trans-Eurasia Railway than shipping at a port. With the Chinese government providing transportation subsidies, companies began to favor the Trans China Railway.

As the volume of goods increased, the congestion in the railway became acute. There were too many cargos, but there were not enough trains in Kazakhstan’s section. At Dostyk Station in the Kazakhstan-China border, the Kazakhstan Railway Administration was not providing enough trains. Cargos had to wait as long as 60 to 80 days, and exporters became anxious as cargo did not arrive on time.

So, China made another border gate, Khorgas. The area was also a duty-free area, but it was an intermediate freight house made to relieve the chronic logistics congestion. Another purpose of the area was to create a detour route in a case when southern China’s waters were blocked due to U.S. allies such as South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Australia.

***

On the Kazakh side of the free economic zone in Khorgas, 1,400 Chinese people were waiting with their bags on their backs.

As soon as they crossed over the border of Kazakhstan, they would be arrested by Chinese security guards. As they were about to cross the border in line, a few people got away from the line, and soon, all people in the line fled to all directions.

Kazakhstan’s guards who were in charge of taking them to China’s side lifted their guards even before transferring the illegal immigrants to China’s side. Flustered, one of the Kazakh guards panicked and fired blanks in the sky.

The Chinese guards who were waiting to take the immigrants to a bus were also bewildered by the sudden situation. Even though they were criminals who illegally stayed in the Kazakh border area, they were still citizens of China. Soon, there was a series of clashes between the guards from both sides.

“Some injuries were reported, but the Chinese side seems to have refrained from fighting. We admitted that it was our guards’ fault, and the Chinese side didn’t make a big deal.”

“That’s great that it didn’t become a bigger issue. In the meantime, about 100 illegal Chinese immigrants fled to our side?”

“There are seventeen families. We arrested them and are now protecting them as illegal immigrants.”

“Is there any word from the Chinese side that we should send them back?”

“They don’t care about them because of the illegal immigrants scattered in the free economic zone. They’ll probably ask about them later after checking the name list.”

“It was a bad operation, but I’m glad it ended well. And I heard that the Uyghurs all safely reached Kazakhstan.”

“I was about to give you the number. The total number of Uyghurs who have crossed over this time are 753. Some of them are frostbite patients, but they’re generally healthy.”

“You’ve done a great job overlooking this operation, commander. When the Uyghurs are ready, please send them to the Arirang royal territory.”

Kabak, who was a lieutenant colonel during the revolutionary government, was promoted to the rank of commander of the Royal Armed Division in the capital.

“Is there any Uyghur with a special career background?”

“An investigation is underway. Most of them are families of the members of independence organizations.”

“I’ve heard there are a lot of intellectuals wanted by the Chinese government, but I don’t think they’ve escaped yet.”

“It seems like it. There will be another migration in February, maybe we’ll get to see them then.”

“Is the escape route the Uyghurs have used this time is safe?”

“This is a secret passage that was only used by Kazakhs during the Silk Road era. It was maintained uncaught even during the Qing Dynasty. The Kazakhs who lived in Xinjiang Uyghur had been supplying necessary items from Kazakhstan through this route.”

“If it’s a place that’s been around for a long time, how come the Chinese border guards are not aware of this route?”

“It was built during the Uyghur Empire to invade the Tang Dynasty, and it was completed during the Genghis Khan period. I don’t know why, but it was kept a secret from the Han people for some reason.”

“If there was such a safe way out, we didn’t have to make a fuss in the free economic zone. Let’s keep the road completely secure from now on. Make sure to notify the people who escaped this time.”

Since the Silk Road was treaded on by so many people and conquerors, such a secret path was even made. Youngho had no idea that there was a secret path in the rugged Tian Shan Mountain Range. He was curious about the route, so he wanted to explore it himself.

***

China had set up a large delegation to visit Kazakhstan.

When Youngho heard about it; he thought that only a special envoy would come to improve the recent relations of the two countries, but it was quite surprising that as many as 200 people, including businessmen, came by chartered plane. When the delegation visited, they also brought most of the missing Kazakh women with them too. This was quite sincere of the Chinese government.

“Your Highness. I think the new economic delegation is more interested in buying goods than in making direct investments in Kazakhstan.”

“I’d rather sell underground resources in China than receiving investments. I’m glad to hear that. China has been making an effort for Kyrgyzstan. Do you think China has noticed our plan?”

“There was no sign of that. When our government said that we’ll be solely in charge of Kyrgyzstan’s section for the One Belt One Road construction, the Chinese government did not say much.”

“I see. I guess China wants to meet us halfway. What do you think, Prime Minister?”

“Well, there’s no reason not to hold China’s hand when China held it out first.”

“If China accepts our decision, that’s the compromise.”

“If China yields the Kyrgyz section, I think we can give up the rest of the sections to China. It’s not like the construction will start right now, is it? We have plenty of time to turn things around. There has been no conclusion yet on the Turkish section either.”

The biggest blow to Kazakhstan was Kyrgyzstan’s absorption into China, the rest of the world was not a problem since other nations were far away from China. Youngho did not intend to take Uzbekistan even if he could. There was no reason to embrace the landmasses and its large population people that would only cause trouble.

“Prime Minister, you must have little interest in Uzbekistan or the rest of the world.”

“To be honest, I think Kyrgyzstan is too much for us unless we have an overwhelming economic power. Our power is not enough to handle the large population of Uzbekistan. I’m afraid we’re going to be poor together.”

“At the beginning of the annexation of Kyrgyzstan, we have to tighten our belts. In a few years, we’ll get synergy effects.”

“I know you want to keep China in check, but I am worried that the later generations of Kyrgyz people will blame the Kazakh royal family.”

“If China doesn’t try to take control of Central Asia, there is no reason for us to take Kyrgyzstan. If the people of Kyrgyzstan wanted, I’ll give the land back to them without any strings attached. Let’s put in a statutory form if necessary.”

“If that’s your will, the Kyrgyz people will praise the royal family. After hearing what you said, I feel a little at ease.”