“If all else fails, Central Asia is China’s Plan B”

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (69) presented a comprehensive plan for the development of Central Asia on Friday. This ranges from building infrastructure to promoting trade between China and the five countries.

China stands ready to coordinate development strategies with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and promote the modernization of all countries. Xi said in a speech at a China-Central Asia summit in northwestern China.

With this, the Chinese ruler seems to be taking on a new leadership role in a region that has traditionally been a Russian sphere of influence. After all, the five nations are former republics of the Soviet Union. That is why they have a special connection with contemporary Russia, Temur Umarow (27), China and Central Asia expert and fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, explains in an interview with Blick.

“You’re Used to Sharing”

So is China spreading into Russia’s symbolic backyard? Yes, says Umarov. “Central Asia has very close political and historical ties with Russia. But economic relations with China are just as important.”

The five former Soviet republics have a network of trade corridors that provide China with alternative routes for transporting fuel, food and other goods. In return, China is offering them 26 billion yuan (about 3.3 billion Swiss francs) in development aid, Xi revealed on Friday.

However, the expert doubts that Russia could feel threatened by China’s advance in Central Asia. “Since the Central Asian countries are right in between Russia and China, people are used to sharing.” However, the Central Asian region seems to be oriented more east than north. Because China currently presents itself as a more attractive partner than Russia.

China is ensnaring Central Asia – with ulterior motives

The Chinese charm offensive against the five Central Asian countries is not new in itself. A similar summit took place last year – but then it was still virtual. And ten years ago, the “New Silk Road” was established in Central Asia. It is not for nothing that Xi has spared no expense this year and welcomed MPs with pomp and circumstance: China is in a geopolitically difficult situation.

China-US tensions and Russia’s decline as an economic heavyweight have forced Xi’s country to refocus. And this is where Central Asia comes in: “The region is China’s plan B if the country becomes further isolated on the big world stage,” says Umarov. This is how China wants to protect itself from complete political and economic isolation.

Source: Blick