Central Asia and the Great Power Politics: An Analysis of China’s National Interest in the Region and U.S. Approach to China

Abstract

Due to its geographical location and strategic significance, the Central Asian region welcomed all great powers to play their substantial role in bringing peace, prosperity, and state-building. Thus, the region is unique for all powers, where the concept of balance of power re-emerged between China and the US. In this context, the study explores how the Central Asian region has become a great source of competition between the major powers. Furthermore, this study analyzed the US response to China’s Central Asia strategy and national interest in the post-9/11 era. The study investigates the ultimate aim of China’s Central Asia strategy, as its new regionalism intertwined with its peaceful rise and mutual interests (political, economic, diplomatic, and trade). US has also reinforced its presence to counter China’s growing leverage in the region. This study uses an exploratory case study for qualitative data that relies on secondary sources.