China's Role In Central Asia: Security Situation And Regional Cooperation

In this paper I discuss role of China in Central Asian region, from within a framework of realist and liberalist prospective of view. In order to clearly understand the reasons and premises for thinking that China plays any role in the region and prove that it takes place, I try to examine the cooperation issues in regard to security, economics and trade, culture and language. Also make a research on the ways of developing co-operation, economic interdependence and mutual mechanisms. I argue that relations between China and Central Asia are relevant.First of all, because China is an economic giant that could assist states of Central Asia in its development, thus Central Asian states could assist and support China in security issues under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization framework. In other words, China and Central Asian states jointly trying to develop economic interdependence and mutual mechanisms to avoid terrorist threats. In this case I apply liberalism, liberalism is based on the assumption that mutual aid and collaboration through reason and ethically inspired education is possible in interstate relations. Interaction between China and Central Asia is not limited to the political, but also economic. And there are plenty of opportunities for cooperation and interdependence in different spheres. It could bring absolute gains, thus peace can be achieved.Overall, there are four aspects of China's engagement with Central Asia. First, China recognizes the strategic importance of this region and its potential impact in global affairs. Second, on the economic side, China sees Central Asia as a supplier of vital energy resources. Third, China has a security interests in making sure the states of Central Asia develop in a way that does not threaten China and could jointly maintain peace and stability in the region. Lastly, China recognizes that a multilateral approach to cooperation can help both China and the region as a whole achieve their shared interests. In this case I apply realism for better explaining that these states are unitary actors each moving towards their own national interest, and it is their nature that they are born to watch out for themselves; national security and survival are on the first place of their national objectives.