Central Asia and China’s security policy
Niklas Swanström
China’s ‘new’ interest in Central Asia is rather a pivot back to Central Asia after two centuries of exclusion during the Russian and Soviet occupation of the region. With the independence of the Central Asian states in 1991 and the failure of Russia to sustain economic cooperation with the new republics, China emerged as a major player in the region, and today has arguably become the most important actor, especially in the economic realm.1 However, Russia still retains a preeminent role in the region’s security, even if it increasingly lacks the financial and military muscle to back its rhetoric and ambitions. While China initially largely excluded itself from the security sector for reasons that will be discussed later in this chapter, the tide has turned and today China has also emerged as a key security actor. There are still limitations to this role – to a large extent imposed by China itself to placate Russian concerns over the former’s re-emergence in Central Asia – but the question is how long this will remain the case, and what China is doing and under what conditions it would need to assert its presence.
Related Publications
-
Between Scandals & Elections: Sino-Austrian Relations in the Era of Sharp Power
Introduction Li Zhanshu, the Chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) and the country’s top legislator, visited Austria in May 2019 during his tour through Europe. […]
-
The Next Generation Problem: The Ups and Downs of Sweden’s Huawei Ban
Abstract After months of pending legal challenges, Sweden proceeded with the long-delayed 5G-frequency auctions in January this year, finally allowing Swedish telecom providers to continue the 5G-rollout; however, still without […]
-
The BRI vs FOIP: Japan’s Countering of China’s Global Ambitions
Abstract With the Donald Trump administrated U.S. turning inwards, the world saw Japan taking a step forward on the global stage during Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s tenure. Not only did […]
-
Taiwan-Paraguay Relations: Convergent Trajectories
Abstract Paraguay’s ongoing diplomatic recognition of Taiwan rests upon a common historical foundation and reflects a parallel trajectory. Successive regimes have maintained diplomatic relations even as the external environment has […]
-
Another Fishing Incident. Now What?
Link to originally published article On the early morning of April 2, a Vietnam-flagged fishing boat was spotted by a China Coast Guard vessel in the vicinity of the Paracel […]
-
China’s Evolving North Korea Policy
The Center would like to acknowledge that this publication was generously supported by the Korea Foundation. Introduction* It would seem common sense that China’s policies seldom change due to its […]