China’s Role and Interest in Central Asia

Abstract

The chapter gives an overview of the Chinese investments in the Central Asian states and also provides an in-depth analysis of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (or CPEC). These investments constitute important components of China’s three-pronged investment strategy comprising bilateral, regional, and global tracks. The roads, rails and pipelines not only ensure supply of energy resources from and through these countries but also enable China and these countries to become connected to Europe, Middle East, and Africa through alternative routes. Moreover, linking of these countries through BRI also provides the landlocked Central Asian countries access to open seas. The chapter also discusses the challenges that will have to be addressed to make the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor a success that can be replicated in the other five main corridors.