Cooperation, Co-existence or Clash? China and Russia’s Ambitions in Central Asia
Author(s): Benno Zogg
Journal Title: The Diplomat
Publication Year: 2019
Observers disagree on whether or not China and Russia’s strategic partnership is substantial and meant to last. However, they usually agree that Central Asia is a region where their diverging interests and self-perceptions are most likely to clash. China’s weight and influence in the region, which Russia considers its backyard, has increased substantially. Central Asia thus serves as a good indicator of how sincere their partnership is today – and, as such, how shifts in their relationship will manifest themselves in the future there as well.