The Evolving Status of Agricultural Products in the Global Value Chain since China and Kyrgyzstan Established Diplomatic Relations

Abstract

Central Asia borders China and was the first stop of China’s opening to the west. Studying the evolving status of agricultural products in the global value chain since China and Kyrgyzstan established diplomatic relations in 1992 can facilitate China’s “Belt and Road” initiative and strengthen agricultural cooperation. Based on FAOSTAT and UN Comtrade data, this paper classifies agricultural products into three categories: primary agricultural products, rough-processed agricultural products, and deep-processed industrial products. An indicator system was constructed for measuring the status of agricultural products in the global value chain. Using the results of the NET trade index, this paper analyzed the evolving status of Chinese and Kyrgyzstani agricultural products in the global value from 1995 to 2020. The results showed that the status of Chinese and Kyrgyzstani primary agricultural products has continued to decline, with Kyrgyzstan slightly better than China. The status of Chinese rough-processed agricultural products was slowly declining, while Kyrgyzstan’s status dropped sharply by 2020. China has a solid foundation in deep-processed agricultural products, while Kyrgyzstan’s status was relatively low. Suggestions for future cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan are discussed, such as strengthening agricultural technology exchanges and cooperation, expanding trade in high-quality agricultural products, etc.