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Chinese Challenges for Russia in Central Asia

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Rubric: At Post-Soviet Space
DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2025-69-7-121-128
EDN: VWBXGE
E. Garbuzarova, ORCID 0000-0003-3481-4363, play_elenag@mail.ru
Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University (KRSU), 44, Kievskaya Str., Bishkek, 72000, Kyrgyz Republic.
PDF (RUS)

Received 31.07.2024. Revised 12.03.2025. Accepted 28.04.2025.

Abstract. The article is devoted to China’s overactive policy in Central Asian countries which aims to expand regional geo-economic and geopolitical positions. In modern realities in the context of a deep crisis in the system of international relations China, whose policy in Central Asia was long assessed in terms of asymmetric leadership, creates a set of challenges to Russia’s interests. At the same time China’s cooperation with Russia in the Central Asian area develop in parallel with China’s isolated policy which becomes more visible and competitive in the context of a Special Military operation in Ukraine. The article analyzes China’s current policy in the region characterized by strengthening its positions in strategic areas of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Currently, China’s regional presence grew significantly and not only in the field of economic cooperation. Beijing demonstrates a high level of activity in the field of diplomacy, politics and security, gradually limiting Russia’s influence in those areas where it traditionally occupies a dominant position. The obvious ambivalence of China’s foreign policy can be traced in Central Asia. On the one hand, Beijing cooperates with Russia demonstrating recognition of its regional interests. But, on the other, China strengthens its isolated policy which carries the combined potential of challenges to Russian policy in the region.

Keywords: China, Russia, Central Asia, challenge, geopolitics, “soft power”


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For citation:
Garbuzarova E. Chinese Challenges for Russia in Central Asia. World Eñonomy and International Relations, 2025, vol. 69, no. 7, pp. 121-128. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2025-69-7-121-128 EDN: VWBXGE

Contents World Eñonomy and International Relations. 2025, vol. 69, no. 7

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