China in Central Asia

Xi has prepared an "important speech" and the six leaders are expected to jointly sign an "important political document.”

Both Chinese expats and Uzbek locals have nuanced views of China’s growing involvement in Uzbekistan.

China’s growing importance to – and influence over – the country is a case study in Beijing’s geopolitical rise over the past several decades.

China has now forged comprehensive strategic partnerships with all the Central Asian states. 

Central Asia is becoming more and more crucial to China’s interests, and Beijing’s recent diplomacy reflects that.

Under the September 14 agreement, the three parties will jointly fund a feasibility study of a proposed route through Kyrgyzstan necessary to bring the CKU Railway into being.

While the meeting with Putin stole headlines, Xi’s trips to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are about far more than Russia.

Chinese interests in expanding its engagement in Afghanistan lies in opportunist thinking.

The China-Russia soft power rivalry in Uzbekistan plays out most clearly via language and education programs.

Uzbekistan is leveraging its partnership with China to address the logistical and geographic challenges it faces.

Even as China’s economic influence expands, a credibility gap looms in Central Asia.