Research, The Friendly Exchanges Between China And Central Asia

Central Asia, in a broad sense, covers the geographic scope of Afghanistan, western China, northern India, northeast Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, along with the five Central Asian countries according to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In a narrow definition, Central Asia mainly refers to the five Central Asian countries after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The "Central Asia" in this dissertation refers to the five Central Asian countries in the narrow sense.The friendly exchanges between China and Central Asia have endured a long period of time and taken place in different forms in different historical periods with their own characteristics. Based on full observation and thorough analysis of historical development of friendly exchanges between China and Central Asia, it is evident that the Silk Road serves as the link and bridge of the friendly exchanges between China and Central Asia. Thousands of years of peaceful and friendly exchanges have fostered close political, economic, and cultural relationships between the peoples of China and Central Asia, and the deep friendship from the past and the affinity among ethnic groups will provide a solid foundation for further development of their friendly relationship. China, as one of the earliest countries which acknowledged the independence of Central Asian countries after the collapse of the Soviet Union, has been steadily and continually developing exchanges and cooperation with Central Asian countries in various fields on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, equality and mutual benefit. The friendly exchanges between China and post-independence Central Asian countries have made remarkable achievements and are entering a new period of unprecedented development. This 250,000 word paper includes an introduction, two main parts, and a conclusion.Introduction:Section One explains the significance of the present research, a review of previous scholastic work, and the methodologies used in this paper. Section Two defines the geographic scope of "Central Asia" and "Xi Yu". Section Three presents basic information of the five countries in the Central Asian region.Part One:Friendly Exchanges Between China and Central Asia in History Chapter 1:The Early Contacts and Exchanges between China and Central Asia in Pre-Qin Dynasty.Archaeological studies have confirmed the primitive cultural connections between the ancient northern China and northern Central Asian regions. Historical Chinese books such as Book of Mountains and Seas, and The Biography of Emperor Mu reflected the knowledge of Central Asia and the early contacts between the two regions. Economic and cultural exchanges and interactions between China and Central Asia have been established since Pre-Qin Dynasty.Chapter 2:The Friendly Exchanges between China and Central Asia in the West Han and East Han Dynasties, the Wei and Jin Dynasties, and the South and North Dynasties.During the period of Emperor Han Wu, Zhang Qian carried out diplomatic activities in Central Asia to establish direct links between China and various ancient countries of the Central Asian region, and exchanges between China and Central Asia entered a new era of development. Political ties between China and ancient Central Asian countries were maintained during the Wei and Jin Dynasties, and the South and North Dynasties; a time various separatist regimes had ruled China. Buddhism was introduced to China through Central Asia, and a group of eminent monks from Central Asia contributed to the early spread of Buddhism in China.Chapter 3:The Friendly Exchanges between China and Central Asia in the Sui and Tang Dynasties.The friendly exchanges between China and Central Asia reached its peak during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. With increased control and management of Xi Yu in the Tang Dynasty, especially when Xi Yu and Central Asia region became part of the territory of Tang Dynasty, exchanges between China and Central Asia underwent an unprecedented development. The fact of intensive exchanges of personnel, frequent and prolific forms of largess and tribute reflected the close connection between China and Central Asia in the Tang Dynasty. A large number of Soghdians, primarily Sogdian businessmen, immigrated to China during this time and assumed an important role in economic and cultural exchanges. In the Tang Dynasty, the cultural interaction between China and Central Asia was embodied in religion, art, literature, and other aspects of social life.Chapter 4:The Friendly Exchanges between China and Central Asia in the Song and Yuan Dynasties.In the Song Dynasty, the exchanges between China and Central Asia were most evident by the great impact of Chinese culture on Central Asia when the region was ruled by the Khitans from northern China who were deeply influenced by Chinese culture, and the close interactions and mutual influences in various aspects of politics, economics, religion and culture between the Samanids Dynasty in the Central Asian region and the Karakhanid Dynasty in western China. The Yuan Dynasty was an important period in the development of friendly exchanges between China and Central Asia. The Mongolians built a unified Eurasian political space which provided a fresh environment for national integration. During this period, the exchanges between China and Central Asia were mainly reflected in these two aspects:first, the contacts and exchanges between China's inland and Chagatai Khanate of Central Asia; second, the impact on Yuan society and Chinese ethnic structure from immigration of a large number of Central Asian people into China during several large-scale Mongolian conquests.Chapter 5:The Friendly Exchanges between China and Central Asia in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.During the 130 years of Timurid Dynasty's reign of Central Asian region, the Timurits had always maintained frequent exchanges with the Ming Dynasty in forms of tribute and bestowals as well as cultural exchanges. In the Mid-Qing Dynasty, the Qing government unified the South and North of the Mountain Tian, and parts of Kazakhstan and Breut in the Central Asian region were taken over by the Qing Dynasty, thus close contacts and trade relations continued. The trade between the Qing Dynasty and Kazakhstan and Khokand played an important role in the economic development of the Central Asian region as well as the economic and cultural exchanges between China's Xinjiang region and the Central Asian region.Chapter 6:The Friendly Exchanges and Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and the Central Asian region of the Soviet Union (Russia) during the period following China's Xinhai Revolution until the Independence of Central Asian Countries (1911-1991).There were no direct contacts between China and the Central Asian region as an integrated part of Russia and the Soviet Union for almost a century before the Soviet Union collapsed. However, the neighboring China Xinjiang region had maintained indirect contacts and trade relationships with Central Asia through ties with the Soviet Union (Russia) during this period. The development of the exchanges between China's Xinjiang region and Central Asia had experienced an uneasy period during 20th century political turmoil.Part two:Friendly Exchanges between China and the Five Post-Independence Central Asian Countries.Chapter 1:Political Exchanges and Cooperation between China and Central Asian Countries.China was one of the earliest countries which acknowledged the independence of Central Asian countries. Frequent contacts between China and Central Asian countries at all levels including senior leaders, parliaments, political parties and governments are maintained and views on important international and domestic issues are constantly exchanged, which in turn promote deep mutual confidence among them. The active exchanges and cooperation in political realms have become the foundation and premise for effective cooperation in all fields.Chapter 2:Exchanges and Cooperation between China and Central Asian Countries in Security.The security interests of China and Central Asian countries are among the core interests of both sides. As a close neighbor, the security of Central Asia is vitally related to the security of China, especially the security of the northwest region of China. China and the Central Asian countries have been conducting effective cooperation in areas of security, and have made great contributions to security and the stability of this region.Chapter 3:Economic Exchanges and Cooperation between China and Central Asian Countries.Economic exchanges and cooperation occupy a central position within cooperation between China and Central Asian countries in various fields. A complementary relationship between China and the Central Asian region's economy and the adage "the Right Time, the Right Place and the Right Person" for development of economic cooperation are among many factors dictating great potential for mutual economic cooperation. Through joint efforts by China and the Central Asian countries, economic cooperation has achieved great results which have caught worldwide attention.Chapter 4. Cultural Exchanges and Cooperation between China and the Central Asian Countries.Cultural exchanges play a greater role than cooperation in other areas in the development of a lasting and stable good-neighbor relationship between China and Central Asia. China and the Central Asian countries have realized the important role of "Cultural Soft Power" and continually promote cooperation in humanities. There has been enhanced cooperation in the areas of culture and education particularly in recent years. The exchanges and cooperation in humanities between China and Central Asian countries still have a long way to go and require great effort and long-term planning to achieve their goals.Chapter 5:Exchanges and Cooperation between China and Central Asian Countries in the Framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).The establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was a great event in the history of friendly exchanges between China and Central Asia, which had launched a broad platform for multilateral exchanges and cooperation between these countries. Construction of an infrastructure of law and cooperation mechanism in security, economy and humanity areas has been conducted by China and the Central Asian countries, and preliminary cooperation in the framework of SCO has been carried out. SCO's establishment and continual growth serve the common interests of member countries and therefore it has a very broad prospective for development.Conclusion:Based on the research work described in the above chapters, a few basic features of the friendly exchanges between China and the Central Asian regions can be drawn.1. The exchanges between China and Central Asia over the past few thousands of years are generally of a peaceful nature.2. The history of friendly exchanges between China and Central Asia has been intertwined with the history of the Silk Road.3. The close ethnic relationships resulting from the long history of ethnic mixing provides a positive effect on today's friendly exchanges.4. During China's long feudalistic period, the political and economic exchanges between different dynasties of China and Central Asia were based on relationships of suzerain and vassal states with largess and tribute being the main forms of exchanges. 5. The relationships between China and the post-independence Central Asian countries are built totally on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, equality and mutual benefit. Nonetheless, China still should prevent the adverse impact of arrogance from chauvinism and blind nationalism on friendly exchanges with Central Asian countries and allow those countries full respect and recognition in exchanges of all aspects.6. The economic exchange between China and Central Asia has been the main focus of various relationships, and the economic and trade cooperation between China and the post-independence Central Asian countries is a continuation of the economic exchange of the Silk Road.7. The cultural exchanges between China and Central Asia have made unique contributions to the human civilization in history and there is still vast potential today for exchanges and cooperation in cultural areas between the two. However, due to the fact that the cultural exchanges between China and Central Asia mostly centers on output from China to Central Asian countries, China should take measures to prevent the development of cultural exchanges as only flowing in one direction, thus providing no excuse for those who advocate the 'China Threat' theory.