China’s Foreign Policy In Central Asia:Current Situation, Challenges And Prospects

The disintegration of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics opened up phenomenal opportunities for China to exercise and influence the ongoing political economic processes in the Central Asian region.Due to its important strategic position and rich energy resources, Central Asia is seen as the Second Middle East and the strategic energy base for the XXI century, giving the region importance in China’s strategic planning.In Chapter1, author examines and will give an answer, why Central Asia is so significance? Because of Central Asia is being located in the hearth of the continent is in the focus of a large international policy. Central Asia had both the advantage and disadvantage of a central location between four historical seats of power. From its central location, it has access to trade routes to and from all the regional powers. To the East are China and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region; in the South-Afghanistan, the countries of the Middle East and a number of other Islamic States; to the West and in the North Caucasus, Turkey, Europe, and Russia. From what direction will develop the situation in the Central Asian states will largely depend on the balance of forces on the vast space of the planet. Any events occurring in the countries of Central Asia will be reflected not only at the regional level, but can cause changes in the geopolitical balance of forces in the whole Eurasian continent, which recognized remains the axis of world development. The abundance of untapped energy resources also are giving CA so very important role in the world arena.There forthcoming question is why Central Asia region is significance to China? Being engaged in the region since the1990s, China certainly has developed a multi-faceted strategy in Central Asia. In other words, China is gradually expanding its presence in the region through the acquisition of stakes in energy assets and infrastructure facilities, as well as providing loans without any conditions. The importance of Central Asia for China can be explained under several important titles:1. Location of Central Asia;2. Oil and gas wealth in Central Asia;3. Central Asia, as a balancing factor of disability in China;4. Transit potential of the region;5. Economic interests;6. China’s strategy is to balance the powers of Russia, the U.S. and the European Union in Central Asia, to prevent any single power from monopolizing the region, and to avoid traditional large-power competition.In Chapter2author will shed a light to development of China-Central Asia relations.Accordingly, the increased foreign policy activity of China, where it is possible to identify three main stages:-the first stage covers the beginning of the1991-1997of the XX century, connected with the interpretation of China of new realities in Central Asia and around it, the establishment of friendly diplomatic relations, formation an atmosphere of trust and contractual-legal base, particularly in the context of the solution of the problems inherited from the Sino-Soviet period;the second stage occurred mainly in the1997-2001, before the events of September11, is characterized with strengthening cooperation in energy, trade and security.the third stage, conditionally started after the events of September11,2001, continues to the present time. This stage is characterized with development of comprehensive cooperation relationship under the SCO framework.So, according this part of analysis, Chinese policy towards Central Asia began in the early1990-s of XX century, China was not ready to pursue an active foreign policy in Central Asia. In view of the strategic nature, and taking into account the uncertainty of the further development of the situation in the Central Asian segment of the Post-Soviet space, Beijing tried to distance themselves from the 《internal problems》 of the region and focus on priority issues of ensuring the security of border with Central Asia-Chinese territories.In the second half of the1990-s, especially after2001,Sept11terrorists attacks China has intensified its activity in the Central Asian direction, increase the importance of which was largely dictated by the growing concern of Beijing complex problems of security and socio-economic development of the Western areas in China.Chapter3examines advantages of China’s policy in Central Asia. Chinese policy is based on principles of cooperation, multilateralism and integration, establishing bilateral and multilateral cooperation within SCO is going actively and prosperously.In my point of view the SCO is the multilateral tool, that China has at its disposal to influence the geopolitical positioning, military stances, and domestic policy choices of the Central Asian states. It is the only regional organization to which both China and four of the five Central Asian states belong.Chapter4, analysis disadvantages of China’s foreign policy in the region. At first, competition between Great powers like USA, EU, Russia in the CA region, where China shares common interests, called "Great Chess Game". China’s policy also has many disadvantages in Central Asia:due to many years of separation between China and the Central Asian states, both have a quite limited understanding of each other, especially in Central Asia, where depictions of the old image of China still endure; current Chinese investment and economic activity are comparatively limited; China’s political and social cultures do not appeal much to the young generation in Central Asia; moreover, the long borders between both sides are likely to generate more disputes or conflicts while facilitating their communication.In Chapter5examined predictions from Central Asian and Chinese perspective.In this research work author examined China’s foreign policy in Central Asia region, from within a framework of realist and liberalist perspective of view. After reviewing related data, analyzing scholars commentary on the China’s role in Central Asia region, my conclusion suggest, that China plays great role in the region, combining2different kinds of actions towards Central Asia at the same time.In order to clearly understand the reasons and premises for thinking that China plays any role in the region and prove that it take place I argue that relations between China and Central Asia are relevant and based on the good friendly relations, and mutual benefit.Proceeding from the above, one can draw the conclusion about the necessity of the soonest elaboration of a new concept of the functioning of the SCO, taking into account global changes with the purpose of its transformation into one of the centres of the multipolar world, the authoritative international organization, positions itself as the structure possessing the appropriate political and military potential for independent solution of regional problems.