New Old Neighbours
China and Central Asia
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
China has historical, ethnic and religious ties to the region on its western border. Since the end of the Soviet Union, the preservation of stability has stood in the forefront in relations to the new neighbouring states, for this question has an impact on China’s northwest, the autonomous region of Xinjiang-Uighur. In its relations with all of the Central Asian republics, China is counting on good political and economic relations and is nurturing these by means of a diplomacy centred on frequent visits. At the same time, co-operation in security policy has been intensified not only at the bilateral but also at the multilateral level. The Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, to which Russia and four of the five Central Asian states belong, serves China as a framework for the latter.
(Osteuropa 8-9/2007, pp. 313–326)