Name: Mirzokhid Rakhimov, Director, Department of Contemporary History and International Relations, Institute of History, National University of Uzbekistan

Title: Central Asia and China in the Context of New Silk Road Initiative

Abstract:

Many issues of international and regional relations in Central Asia require broader approach. Since the beginning of the 21st century, a new stage of geopolitical transformation started in Eurasia and main actors have increasingly competed with each other. It is well known that Russia, the U.S., China, the EU, and other leading actors declared their support for peace and stability and regional cooperation in Central Asia, but there are some contradictions between them. There are challenges, similarities, and contradictions of intra-and ultra-regional relations in Central Asia.

China is the largest neighbor of the Central Asia and in its policy holds as priorities the expansion of trade and economic contact with the countries of the region on a bilateral and multilateral basis, maintaining a close policy dialogue and stability in Central Asia. In 2001, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan founded the SCO. The organization has passed through a number of interesting phases in its development and represents an international instrument to coordinate areas of multilateral cooperation. In 2016, SCO expanded its membership for the first time since its foundation. However, after the expansion, the organization faces new challenges and problems. In the long view, the SCO may open up new opportunities for cooperation and integration among member countries, as well as cooperation with other international organizations to strengthen regional and global security.

Contemporary Central Asian nations deem communications infrastructure construction holds much importance to their national and regional development, which is partially for reviving the ancient Silk Road and partially for building new transport infrastructure for the east, west, south, and north Central Asia. The goal of Central Asia is very relevant to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The initiative focuses on providing investment in infrastructure, energy resources, industries, and transport communication projects involving various countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. China has already actively involved in the development of new transport communication and energy link with Eurasia. Central Asian countries strongly support the initiative because historically Central Asia and China were highly interconnected during the ancient Silk Road period and they were intensively involved in international trade, economic, and cultural interaction. A well-developed regional communication network in Central Asia, including a China-Central Asia network, is potential for regional prosperity. Developing regional and international transport network and substantial trade relations will help to attract foreign investment. Future prospect of multilateral regional and international cooperation in Central Asia will depend on correlations of national, regional, and global interests. But for sure close international communication network will strongly contribute to global interdependence.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)