Rising Tensions: China’s Economic Influence Challenges Russia’s Dominance in Central Asia

In recent years, tensions have been rising between Russia and China in Central Asia. The region, which Moscow considers its backyard, has become a battleground for the two superpowers. China is using its economic clout to attract local economies in the area, drawing young workers away from Russia. This has had a significant impact on the number of Russians working in the region, with many choosing to go home rather than work for Chinese-funded companies.

At a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization this week, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin met to discuss regional political-security issues. However, their friendship collides with Beijing’s global ambitions. The tension between the two leaders hangs heavy over the meeting, as both countries compete for influence in the region.

China has been using its influence in Central Asia to counter what it sees as a Western campaign designed to tie both of their hands. In recent years, Beijing has been investing heavily in infrastructure projects such as railways and renewable energy projects that bypass Russian territory, reducing dependence on Russian gas and resources. These investments have attracted young workers away from Russia and towards China, making it more difficult for Moscow to maintain its traditional spheres of influence in the region.

Sangerbek Kolmatov, a 29-year-old worker at a Chinese factory in central Uzbekistan, said that he was able to find employment quickly thanks to Chinese investment in the country’s economy. While there were once opportunities for work in Russia, Kolmatov said that he now prefers working for Chinese companies because they offer better pay and benefits compared to Russian employers. According to United Nations data from 2023, 1 million fewer Uzbeks worked in Russia that year compared to 2022 due partly to these new opportunities with Chinese companies.

The relationship between Russia and China has changed significantly since Tsarist times when both countries saw each other as potential territories to expand into and resource from. During Soviet times, Russia jealously guarded its borders against Chinese invasion but today all five Central Asian countries chose neutrality regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine instead of supporting Moscow as they used to do during Soviet times.

In conclusion, while China cannot completely replace Russia as an influential power in Central Asia, it is making significant progress towards doing so by investing heavily in infrastructure projects and attracting young workers away from Russian employers through better pay and benefits offered by Chinese companies. This shift is changing the balance of power in the region and could have far-reaching consequences beyond just Central Asia if not properly managed by both powers involved.