Prospects for cooperation between Russia and China in the context of threats to the development and security of Central Asia

The article examines political and socio-economic processes in Central Asia from the point of view of the presence of threats to development and security in the region. According to the presented analysis, the volume of challenges facing Central Asia is such that it cannot be dealt with without interaction with external players. This can be both indirect influence (in the case of the positive effect of foreign trade and the activities of joint ventures) and direct participation (in the case of intervention in political crises, unrest, and the suppression of cross-border crimes). Due to historical reasons, geographic proximity and involvement in Eurasian integration projects, the influence of Russia and China as external players for Central Asia is greatest. Russia is most widely represented in the field of countering military-political, natural, and man-made threats. China, on the contrary, is more active in the fight against socio-economic threats, promoting economic development and solving the most pressing social problems, and also helping to develop infrastructure. Another important priority for China is the fight against cross-border crime and drug trafficking, as well as promoting infrastructure development, construction of new and reconstruction of old infrastructure facilities. Thus, the aspects in which Russia and China participate in ensuring the development and security of Central Asia are complementary to each other. Both Moscow and Beijing are primarily interested in a stable and prosperous Central Asia. Therefore, partner actions in this region are perceived primarily through this prism. It is also important that, in the face of complicating relations with the West, both Russia and China are interested in ensuring that the niches of external players in Central Asia are occupied by a partner, and not by an openly hostile state (for example, the United States). It is beneficial for Russia that the influence of China does not lead to a shift in political regimes that are constructively disposed towards Moscow and a revision of guidelines that are critical for our country: respect for the rights of Russian ethnic minorities, preservation of the position of the Russian language, traditional moral values, and the historical memory of the victory in the Second World War. In this regard, it can be stated that it is in the interests of the two countries not to push each other out of the region, but to form mutually beneficial coordination based on the philosophy of the Greater Eurasian Partnership. The authors declare no conflicts of interests.

Keywords

Authors

References