Exploring China’s evolving strategic priorities in Central Asia: XXI century perspective

Abstract

Considering the intricate and comprehensive nature of the international relations landscape in the current century, the heightened economic and diplomatic initiatives by the People’s Republic of China in Central Asia gain significant relevance and emerge as a subject for scholarly discourse. In the process of delving into this comprehensive and dynamic interaction, it is imperative to examine and consider a myriad of diverse factors. After all, strategic interests are not static, and they have a propensity to evolve over time. In this context, China, with its strategic interests in Central Asia, is no exception, as they too undergo evolution. In this article, the authors attempt to analyze the decryption of key factors behind the intensification of Chinese initiatives in Central Asia and explore how these factors align with its broader regional and global strategies. Thus, this article attempts to address the research question: What are the key factors driving China's increasing economic and political engagement in Central Asia, and how do they align with its broader strategic interests?