Central Asia
Economy
Can the Gulf-South Asia corridor rewire global trade and energy flows?
The Strait of Hormuz crisis has driven alternative routes, strengthening energy supply chains and boosting cooperation across the Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia, while expanding cross-border trade — so the outlook is not entirely bleak despite disruption at Hormuz, says Chinese academic Peng Nian.
Peng Nian
24 Apr 2026
Economy
The China model with different outcomes: Lessons from Kazakhstan and Thailand
Despite ambitious plans, deep pockets and expanding ties with China, neither Kazakhstan nor Thailand has achieved sustained structural transformation. Academic Guanie Lim analyses what went wrong.
Guanie Lim
29 Dec 2025
Politics
Why Washington can’t outbid Beijing and Moscow in Central Asia
Central Asia is courted by the West but sustained by Beijing and Moscow. The region uses Western attention to lift its value — yet its survival still hinges on China and Russia. How long can this price-raising game last? Academic Hao Nan explains.
Hao Nan
08 Dec 2025
Politics
Xi builds his sphere of stability in Central Asia
At this year’s China-Central Asia Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping made sure to solidify China’s geopolitical position by reinforcing ties with each of the Central Asia countries — a move aimed at maintaining stability despite global tensions and uncertainty. Academic Ghulam Ali explains.
Ghulam Ali
26 Jun 2025
Economy
TAPI: Pipe dream or energy lifeline?
Various parties, including China, could benefit from the long-delayed Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline project. However, major security-related challenges stand in the way, says researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
22 Nov 2024
Economy
[Big read] Kazakhstan's economic emergence amid US-China-Russia power struggle
Kazakhstan's development since gaining independence in 1991 has led it to become a leader in the Central Asia region. With much potential still waiting to be explored in this resource-rich country, Kazakhstan is walking a tightrope to balance its relations with the US, China and Russia. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong shares findings from her visit.
Han Yong Hong
11 Aug 2023
Politics
China strengthens its influence in Central Asia as Russia looks on
The China-Central Asia Summit may have ended last week, but it seems that it is just the beginning for China's re-consolidated relations with Central Asia and also Russia, with an exchange of visits between Chinese and Russian officials coming up. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan notes that China's influence in Central Asia is strengthening, not least the result of Russia's embroilment in the war in Ukraine.
Yu Zeyuan
22 May 2023
Economy
Back to the future: Trade routes from the Silk Road(s) to the BRI corridors
Chinese President Xi Jinping convening an in-person summit with Central Asian country leaders in Xi'an, Shaanxi province this week is a timely reminder that trade continues to bind regions of the world, as new Silk Roads form out of the merging and melding of ancient and new routes in China's BRI. US academic Chen Xiangming examines the issue.
Chen Xiangming
18 May 2023
Politics
Can China be both economic and security guarantor in Central Asia?
Central Asia is a linchpin between Eurasia and Southeast Asia and a strategic node in China's Belt and Road Initiative. Chinese President Xi Jinping notably visited Central Asia in his first foreign visit in over two years. But while China's economic engagement is welcome in the region, it is currently not a confident security provider. Could things change in the near future?
Alessandro Arduino
29 Sep 2022
Politics
Xi-Putin meeting in Uzbekistan: China pulling back from Russia
China seems to be pulling back while Russia wants to take a step forward, as seen from the Xi-Putin parlay at their meeting in Uzbekistan. But the delicate dance is not only at the surface level of the Ukraine war, but China's deeper strategic goals in Central Asia, where Russia considers itself a dominant power.
Han Yong Hong
16 Sep 2022
Politics
China's BRI carrots for Central Asia come with potential pitfalls
China-Central Asia relations have been growing for mutually beneficial reasons, and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been a chief conduit of that. Projects have gone beyond just infrastructure to other areas such as health and digital development. But the Central Asian countries will have to navigate possible pitfalls in order to reap the benefits while minimising the threats to national sovereignty and risk of social backlash.
Yu Hong
07 Apr 2022