China’s Activity in Central Asia in Light of Russian Interests

The article analyzes China’s goals, presence, and expansion in Central Asia in the spheres of trade, investment, education, and the military, comparing it to Russia’s. Chinese influence poses some challenges to Russian interests but is preferable to U.S. or Western European influence. Hence it is in Russia’s interest not to push China out of the region, but to continue mutually-beneficial cooperation with it, specifically within the Greater Eurasian Partnership and other integration mechanisms (primarily the SCO).