The dragon in central Asia: Is China’s increased economic involvement resulting in security gains?

ABSTRACT In a very short time period, China has become a major economic actor in Central Asia. Such economic gains should, according to both the international political economy literature on trade dependence and security ties, result in security gains for China. From that arises the article’s main research question: To what extent is China’s increased economic engagement in Central Asia resulting in Chinese security gains in the region? While Central Asian states are not bandwagoning with China on security matters, China’s primary security objectives in Central Asia are largely being achieved. I argue that Central Asian states will not bandwagon with China as the sole security guarantor, but Chinese security gains will continue to accrue.