The Influence of the Structure of Chinese Think Tanks and Their Interaction Mechanisms with the Government on the Effectiveness of China’s Energy Cooperation with Central Asian Countries (2001–2025)

The subject of this study is the influence of the Chinese think tanks and the mechanisms of their interaction with government bodies on the effectiveness of the People’s Republic of China’s energy cooperation with the countries of Central Asia during the period 2001–2025. The object of the study comprises the institutional and organizational forms of participation of think tanks in shaping China’s foreign energy policy. The author provides a detailed analysis of the evolution of China’s energy strategy in Central Asia, the institutionalization of expert participation, and the role of think tanks in the development, coordination, and implementation of energy initiatives at both regional and international levels. Particular attention is given to the interconnection between expert institutions, government agencies, and the strategic goals of China’s energy diplomacy, as well as to the impact of these mechanisms on strengthening China’s international image and establishing a sustainable model of energy partnership within the Eurasian space. The methodological basis of the research consists of institutional analysis, a comparative-historical approach, and content analysis of official documents and expert reports, supplemented by the author’s analytical model “structure – mechanism – effectiveness.” The scientific novelty lies in a comprehensive study of think tanks as a key element of China’s institutional system of foreign energy policy. For the first time, the relationship between the structure of analytical institutions and the effectiveness of energy cooperation with Central Asian states is revealed. The study concludes that the high level of integration between expert centers and state agencies ensures the stability and efficiency of foreign policy decisions in the energy sector. The results contribute to institutional analysis in international relations and may be used to improve mechanisms of strategic planning and expert support for China’s foreign policy amid global energy transformation.