Research Article

Russian and Central Asian Views on China’s Belt & Road Initiative

Volume: 5 Number: 1 May 4, 2020
  • Ulaş Başar Gezgin *

Russian and Central Asian Views on China’s Belt & Road Initiative

Abstract

In this article, we review and discuss Russian and Central Asian views on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). BRI is considered to be a panacea for multiple problems of China such as the Xinjiang issue, economic slowdown, excess capacity etc. In this context, Chinese principle of non-interference is increasingly questioned as it is hard to separate economical, geopolitical and security dimensions. Russian influence over Central Asia is expected to wane due to BRI projects which may cause Sino-Russian conflicts. On the other hand, Russian isolation after the Ukrainian crisis makes Russia to consider BRI in amicable terms. Central Asian official views on BRI are mostly positive, although local peoples’ objections involving social and environmental impacts are noteworthy. Since the region is landlocked, the prospects are high. However, rather than earning transit revenues only, the regional states are in expectation of Chinese investments in other business areas. Central Asia is far from the goal of regional integration. Border disputes, water scarcity, intra-regional mistrust etc. are divisive enough to prevent the region to act in a coordinated manner with regard to BRI. China, on this occasion, appears to be the major force to integrate the region.

Keywords

References

  1. Avcu, S. A. (2016). Overlapping integration processes in Central Asia: Eurasian Economic Union and Silk Road Economic Belt. IV ЕВРАЗИЯ ГУМАНИТАРДЫК ИЛИМДЕР ФОРУМУ «Байыртан бери «Жибек Жолу» тҥшҥнҥгҥ: Көз караштар жана жаңы изденҥҥлөр» Бишкек, 21-22 апрель 2016, 122-124.
  2. Baichorov, A. M. (2016). China strategy in Central Asia in the belt and road initiative context. Міжнародний науковий журнал, 6 (3), 76-78.
  3. Baoyi (2017). Central Asian Countries and the Silk Road Economic Belt. In China’s Belt and Road Initiatives and Its Neighboring Diplomacy (203-219). Retrieved from https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/9789813140219_0010
  4. Birdişli, F. & Ağır, O. (2016). Security problems of the Silk Road Belt in the context of Kırghız and Uzbek Dispute. IV ЕВРАЗИЯ ГУМАНИТАРДЫК ИЛИМДЕР ФОРУМУ «Байыртан бери «Жибек Жолу» тҥшҥнҥгҥ: Көз караштар жана жаңы изденҥҥлөр» Бишкек, 21-22 апрель 2016, 183-191.
  5. Buranelli, F. C. (2018). One belt, one road and Central Asia: challenges and opportunities. In Y. Cheng, L. Song, & L. Huang (Eds.). The Belt & Road Initiative in the Global Arena (207-230). Singapore: Palgrave Macmillan.
  6. Christoffersen, G. (2016). The Russian Far East and Heilongjiang in China’s Silk Road Economic Belt. China Policy Institute: Analysis, April, 25. Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/download/45735542/Christoffersen_-Russ_Far_East___Heilongjiang_in_Chinas_SREB_-april_2016.pdf
  7. Chunsheng, L. (2018). People to people bond: A booster to the Construction of BRI. CGTN, September 6 2018. Retrieved from https://news.cgtn.com/news/3d3d414d3241444d7a457a6333566d54/share_p.html
  8. Ерохин, В. Л. (2017). Trade between China and the countries of Central and North Asia: Dynamics, structure, and major tendencies. In Сотрудничество Китая и России в рамках инициативы «Один пояс, один путь» (114-129). Retrieved from https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=29881439

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

-

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ulaş Başar Gezgin * This is me
Vietnam

Publication Date

May 4, 2020

Submission Date

October 27, 2019

Acceptance Date

November 26, 2019

Published in Issue

Year 2020 Volume: 5 Number: 1

APA
Başar Gezgin, U. (2020). Russian and Central Asian Views on China’s Belt & Road Initiative. Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 5(1), 135-148. https://doi.org/10.31454/usb.722094
AMA
1.Başar Gezgin U. Russian and Central Asian Views on China’s Belt & Road Initiative. USBdergi. 2020;5(1):135-148. doi:10.31454/usb.722094
Chicago
Başar Gezgin, Ulaş. 2020. “Russian and Central Asian Views on China’s Belt & Road Initiative”. Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 5 (1): 135-48. https://doi.org/10.31454/usb.722094.
EndNote
Başar Gezgin U (May 1, 2020) Russian and Central Asian Views on China’s Belt & Road Initiative. Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 5 1 135–148.
IEEE
[1]U. Başar Gezgin, “Russian and Central Asian Views on China’s Belt & Road Initiative”, USBdergi, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 135–148, May 2020, doi: 10.31454/usb.722094.
ISNAD
Başar Gezgin, Ulaş. “Russian and Central Asian Views on China’s Belt & Road Initiative”. Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 5/1 (May 1, 2020): 135-148. https://doi.org/10.31454/usb.722094.
JAMA
1.Başar Gezgin U. Russian and Central Asian Views on China’s Belt & Road Initiative. USBdergi. 2020;5:135–148.
MLA
Başar Gezgin, Ulaş. “Russian and Central Asian Views on China’s Belt & Road Initiative”. Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, vol. 5, no. 1, May 2020, pp. 135-48, doi:10.31454/usb.722094.
Vancouver
1.Ulaş Başar Gezgin. Russian and Central Asian Views on China’s Belt & Road Initiative. USBdergi. 2020 May 1;5(1):135-48. doi:10.31454/usb.722094

Creative Commons Lisansı Bu eser Creative Atıf-Gayri Ticari-Türetilemez 4.0 Uluslararası Lisansı ile lisanslanmıştır.