CENTRAL ASIAN VECTOR OF CHINA’S FOREIGN POLICY: REASONS AND CONSEQUENCES OF ACTIVATION (2022–2025)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29038/2524-2679-2025-02-39-59Keywords:
China, Central Asia, geopolitics, regional geostrategy, geostrategic priorities, national interest, national security, Belt and Road InitiativeAbstract
The reasons and consequences of China’s activation of the Central Asian vector of foreign policy are determined. The evolution of initiatives and the content of China’s policy towards the states of Central Asia are revealed; the position of the states of the region on cooperation with China is clarified; the influence of the Russian factor on China’s policy in Central Asia is investigated; the results and problems that have emerged during the activation of relations in recent years are identified. The research methodology is based on institutional analysis. Attention is drawn to new mechanisms of bilateral and multilateral interaction between China and the states of Central Asia. The reasons for China’s activation in Cen- tral Asia are determined as follows: continuity of ties; China’s geopolitical am- bitions; geoeconomic characteristics of the region (mineral resources, location as a logistics corridor); interest in investment and market for products; reduced ability of Russia to influence Central Asia, etc. The reasons for China’s activation in the Central Asian region are not only on the part of China but also on the part of the Central Asian states: the need for a reliable security guarantor; interest in investors; desire for other models of communication than the one implemented by Russia (superiority, pressure, etc.). The consequences of China’s activation in the Central Asian region include: an increased risk for the states of the region to fall into debt dependence on China with subsequent threats to sovereignty and secu- rity; China’s creation of a layer of corrupt officials in the states of the region who support projects that are beneficial to China; fears of economic and demographic “absorption” of Central Asian states by China, seizure of natural resources, etc.
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