China’s Rise In Central Asia: THE NEW SILK ROAD ECONOMIC BELT

The fight for hegemony in Central Asia is age old. Located between two nuclear powers—Russia and China—the region has always remained in the global limelight. In the scramble for energy, China has been the front-runner and its relationship with Central Asia has grown manifold since the foundation of the Shanghai Five in 1996, which in June 2001 became the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The relationship gained impetus with the signing of the China–Russia Friendship Treaty in July 2001. The new Belt and Road Initiative has dramatically underscored the strategic value of Central Asia to the West and opened up a bonanza for Chinese economic, political and security interests. In this context, this research paper analyses China’s emergence and interests in Central Asia and the implications for future developments in the region. It also explores the possibility of the Belt and Road Initiative becoming the new lever of the balance of power in Eurasia.