Russian and Chinese Economic Interests in the Central Asia

Abstract

The article analyzes Chinese and Russian economic interests in the Central Asia and the ways of getting these economic benefi ts. We believe that Chinese economic and trade relations with the Central Asia have surpassed economic and trade relations between Russia and the Central Asia, and China has gradually taken the dominant position. However, regarding the economic integration in the Central Asia, China is far behind Russia. The Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan gradually absorbs the former Soviet Union states to EURASEC and they may ultimately form the Eurasian Economic Union. The authors have analized some views of the former Soviet Union scholars on relationship between China and the Eurasian economic integration states. So the authors believe that if Russia can create the Eurasian Union and protect security and stability in the Central Asia, then China will benefit from safety and stability of its western region. Chinese interests in the region are related with the latter. Th erefore, China should not oppose Eurasian economic integration and should maintain practical political and economic relationship with Russia while developing and strengthening bilateral relations with each country in the region.

Keywords:

Russia, China, Central Asia, economic interests