China's Role in Central Asia

Abstract

After the end of the Cold War, the presence of external powers in Central Asia is receiving more attention and discussion. Among them, China, marked by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is strengthening its security and economic ties with Central Asia through expanding cooperation. Since the rapid rise of China's presence is often compared to the decline of dominating Russia in the region, China is seen as competing for dominance in Central Asia. However, China's interests in Central Asia are limited to maintaining regional stability and economic cooperation, and the way to these goals is equal cooperation. In addition, China's influence and public goods in Central Asia are not as high as Russia's, and the interests of cooperation between the two countries in Central Asia outweigh the competition. This paper will analyse China's interests in Central Asia and the ways in which they are realized, and focus on the areas in which China and Russia may compete in Central Asia to show that China is not becoming the dominant power in Central Asia.