China signed a charter of eternal good-neighborliness, friendship, and cooperation with five former Soviet republics of Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. This move confirms China’s growing role in a region traditionally under Russian influence. Central Asia is strategically important due to its natural resources and location between Asia and Europe, and China is a key player through the Belt and Road Initiative aimed at infrastructure development and enhancing connectivity among countries. While these countries maintain close ties with Russia, they seek to reduce dependence on it and strengthen partnerships with other global powers, a trend accelerated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources emphasize China’s role as a rising global power fostering regional cooperation and development through infrastructure projects like the Belt and Road Initiative. They highlight the potential benefits for Central Asian countries in diversifying their partnerships beyond Russia and promoting economic growth and connectivity.
Center: Centrist sources report the event factually, focusing on the geopolitical significance of the charter and the strategic importance of Central Asia. They note the historical Russian influence and the current shift towards China, especially in the context of the Ukraine conflict, without strong bias.
Right: Right-leaning sources may express concern over China’s expanding influence in Central Asia, viewing it as a challenge to Western interests and regional stability. They might emphasize the geopolitical competition between China and Russia and warn about the implications of China’s growing presence in a traditionally Russian sphere of influence.
