Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, the power vacuum in Central Asia created the conditions for the region to become geopolitically the center of attention of the powers. (Photo quoted from Yahoo’s image)

 

Central Asia, with an area of ​​about 4 million square kilometers and a population of more than 67 million people (including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan), has a special and very important place among the important regions.

 

That means, although the region became the scene of a ‘big game’ between Tsarist Russia and Britain in the late nineteenth century, it again was the scene of a new game between regional and global powers after the collapse of the former Soviet Union in the late twentieth century.Following the collapse of the former Soviet Union, Central Asia has received increasing attention from the great powers due to its geopolitical and geostrategic importance. Therefore, each of these powers sought its influence in this region. Apart from China, several major worlds’ powers, the United States, Russia and ... are seeking greater presence in the region. 

 

The People's Republic of China has also expanded its geopolitical presence in the Muslim region since the establishment of the fledgling Central Asian republics.

 

Indeed, in recent decades, Chinese leaders have become aware of important parameters such as their border with Central Asia, the vulnerability of their border provinces to regional unrest and developments, and so on, so they have made the vast geopolitical presence in this region as one of the main priorities of their foreign policy.

 

Now, China is paying special attention to the region for a variety of reasons.Indeed, Beijing officials are well aware that in order to promote China's position in the international system and to become a world power, its presence and influence in Central Asia should be among its foreign policy priorities.

 

In addition, countering the influence of rival powers in the region or trying to neutralize it and the region’s proximity to China (which spreads negative developments to China's border regions and provinces, especially the Muslim province of Xinjiang), has forced Chinese officials to increase their geopolitical presence and influence in Central Asia.

 

Today, nationalism has received more attention in Chinese foreign policy. Also, by the efficiency of the new generation of elites, the field of foreign policy has become more active and bolder than before.

 

Therefore, Beijing pursues its international recognition as a great and responsible power in a multipolar world; Supporting national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs; And the democratization of the international system.

 

What is clear is that China is a large country with nuclear weapons. However, some argue that the views of Chinese politicians and the Central Asian region's priority are of secondary importance to them in their foreign policy strategies.

 

 But it seems that the rise of separatist movements in the Xinjiang region, the movements of religious radical parties and groups in Central Asia, the region's economic potential, and so on, have led Chinese leaders to pay more attention to the Central Asian region.

 

China also knows that the United States and even India are demanding a reduction in Chinese influence in Central Asia. Concerns have also been raised in Moscow about China's intentions in Central Asia, and may divert Moscow's attention to countering it in the region. The West, led by the United States as China's main rival in the world, is also seeking a greater influence in Central Asia.

 

Under these circumstances, the China, considering their domestic situation, their foreign policy goals, and the state of the international system, seeks to expand its geopolitical presence and influence in the Central Asia


 

Farzad Ramezani Bonesh

Senior Researcher and Analyst of International Affairs