Cooperation instead of Conflict
Russia and China in Central Asia
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
China’s importance in Central Asia is growing. This applies both in terms of economics and security policy. All the same, Russia remains an important player in the region. The shift in power does not lead to conflicts between Beijing and Moscow. Common interests in Central Asia and global politics override potential competition. In particular, maintaining the stability of the region’s authoritarian regimes and shielding them from Western influences is a stated common goal. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan benefit from this situation. Their unilateral dependence on Russia is not being replaced by a new dependence on China. Rather, equilibrium be-tween Beijing and Moscow provides them room to manoeuvre.
(Osteuropa 7-9/2023, pp. 287–295)