The Relationship between China and Central Asia

The present relationship between China and Central Asia is defined by geographic, political, economic and security factors. This is the basis behind the policy of China towards Central Asian countries. In terms of geography, China and Central Asia are neighbors. For the nations of Central Asia, China is an outlet to the sea, while the countries of Central Asia can help China establish inland communications to Europe and West Asia. In terms of politics, China and the nations of Central Asia have long standing ties. Now, China and Central Asia hold similar views on many national and international problems, and advantageous political relations have been formed among these nations. In terms of economics, China and the countries of Central Asia have complementary advantages that offer the possibility of extensive cooperation. For China, the energy resources, metals, leather goods and other commodities, as well as the raw materials and markets of Central Asia, are very important. At the same time, China’s industrial, consumer and agricultural products and markets hold a strong attraction for the countries of Central Asia. In terms of security, China and the nations of Central Asia share common interests. The actions of ethnic separatists, religious extremists and the threat of transnational crime, terrorism and regional conflict are mutual concerns. Maintaining the stability of Central Asia and the western SUN ZHUANGZHI - 42 - border areas of China benefits everyone. Although there have been cultural exchanges and trade between China and Central Asia for thousands of years, it was only after the recent independence of the Central Asian nations that an equal and mutually beneficial relationship was established among the countries. Over the past decade, sound foundations have been laid to form strategic cooperation in the twenty-first century between China and Central Asia. Establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has created favorable conditions and new opportunities for developing Sino-Central Asian relations. Still, there are problems between China and the Central Asian countries. The main divergence in their views is over economic issues, such as bilateral trade and water utilization. In addition, there are different opinions over some internal and external policies. China and Central Asia in the New World Order China and Central Asia are geographically neighbors. Central Asia offers China the prospect of a transportation corridor for overland communication between China and Europe, while China gives Central Asia safe, secure passage to the Pacific Ocean. Thousands of years ago, China and Central Asia enjoyed common prosperity through the “Silk Road,” but this relationship was completely severed. However, in the early 1990s, as the result of the disintegration of the Soviet Union, five new countries emerged in the central region of the Asian continent: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. With this development, a new historical period in the relationship between China and Central Asia began. The Effects of the New Order on China and Central Asia The bipolar order ended too suddenly to allow for the formation of a new, mature and stable international situation. The end of the confrontation between the Soviet Union and the United States did not mean that geopolitical and geoeconomic rifts disappeared. On the contrary, the relationships between countries and regions became more complicated. Because there are more international players, changes are now accelerating. For this reason, there will likely be some significant changes THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHINA AND CENTRAL ASIA - 43 - during the period of the formation of the new world order. Countries or blocs of countries with great power may once again determine international relationships. For this reason, many strategic relations need to be regulated. The challenge brought by the new order to China is different from that of the Central Asian countries. As a powerful socialist country among developing countries, China plays an indispensable, ongoing role in the international arena. China has been pursuing independent, self-reliant domestic and foreign policies. For some time, China faced rather severe international conditions, because relationships between China and the two poles, i.e., the United States and the Soviet Union, were both tense. Generally speaking, the breakup of the old system of international relations has been advantageous to China. This change has greatly improved the international situation of China as well as relations between China and the Great Powers. The Central Asian countries tend to be economically less developed, not including Kazakhstan. They are also landlocked countries that have been separated from the outside world for a long time. With the abrupt change in the international situation, the nations of Central Asia suddenly declared their independence. However, it was not like a ripe melon that falls off its stem naturally. The prompt declarations of independence tangibly influenced the internal and foreign affairs of the Central Asian countries. These countries have had to take a protracted, torturous route to find a suitable place in the new international order.1 The change of the world order also brought China and the five central Asian countries numerous difficulties. Because they fall into the category of developing nations, they face many internal economic and social problems. Detrimental factors in their surroundings also often threaten the economic and political security of China and the Central Asian countries.

Author:

Sun Zhuangzhi

https://src-h.slav.hokudai.ac.jp/coe21/publish/no16_1_ses/03_zhuangzhi.pdf