Posted on 05/18/2023 1:07:45 AM PDT by Cronos
Xi Jinping is rolling out the red carpet for CentralAsian nations this week as Beijing attempts to expand its reach into region that long been regarded as Russia’s sphere of influence.
The leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are gathering in the central Chinese city Xi’an for a summit that began Thursday.
It is the first in-person meeting of the heads of state together with China since they established diplomatic relations after the fall of the Soviet Union, according to China’s state media, and comes as the region grapples with the knock-on economic effects of neighboring Russia’s war in Ukraine.
China has billed the meeting as the “first major diplomatic activity” its hosted this year and an opportunity to draw a “new blueprint” with the sprawling bloc of post-Soviet states that lie between between its western borders, Europe and the Middle East.
The two-day event is also a play from Beijing to expand its influence in Central Asia, where Russia – now distracted by its debilitating and unsuccessful invasion of Ukraine – has long been the dominant great power partner.
“The most important context of this summit is the Ukraine war and the region’s uncertainty with Russia’s future commitment, influence and role in the region,” said Yun Sun, director of the China Program at the Stimson Center think tank in Washington.
“Central Asia is always seen as Russia’s backyard, and China has been expanding its influence in the region … and there are new aspirations and directions for China-Central Asia relations – opportunities that were not present or available in the past,” she said.
Visiting leaders include Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov, Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, China has said.
(Excerpt) Read more at edition.cnn.com ...
This is highly symbolic
It sure is! The Dragon has risen!
Thanks for this good news.
putin once again shows his stupidity...
...Russia – now distracted by its debilitating and unsuccessful invasion of Ukraine ...
No bias there, nope non at all.
Have thought since this began that Russia is going to get a lot smaller and China bigger. If Putin wants to use old claims on land as justification so can China
Master strategist
.
Russia is distracted by its war in Ukraine — true
The war is debilitating for Russia - threatening to weaken or enfeeble Russia — true.
Unsuccessful Invasion — Russia had 27% of Ukraine, now have 14 % — so True.
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