Publication

This paper first examines China’s relations with the Central Asia republics and Afghanistan, and then looks at the four challenges it will have to overcome if the region is to become a successful conduit for its Belt and Road Initiative. The challenges include 1) an inadequate security component to Beijing’s economic initiatives in Central Asia; 2) China’s habit of dealing primarily with the region’s central governments; 3) anti-Chinese sentiment in the area, which is partially attributable to the past conduct of China’s state-owned enterprises; and 4) the weak policy coordination between Beijing and its regional governments, particularly Xinjiang.