Turkish-Chinese Cooperation within the Framework of the New Silk Road Initiative

Abstract

The post-Soviet republics of Central Asia are becoming the arena of the geopolitical struggle between China and Turkey, which are interested in new logistics routes. Against the background of the growing economic presence of Turkey and China, the role of Russia in the region is also changing. Turkey believes that the countries of Central Asia are an important part of the trade route with China. The development of such supply chains has been discussed before, but now this issue is even more relevant. Interest is also shown in Beijing, but they are increasing transportation on Russian railways. It should be understood that all the countries of Central Asia, and especially Kazakhstan, are pursuing the so-called multi-vector foreign policy, which consists in the fact that Nur-Sultan (Astana) is trying to develop cooperation with Russia, China, the USA, the European Union and Turkey. The development of cooperation between the Central Asian states with these countries is explained by their desire to get the maximum benefi t from all external partners, they consider it pragmatic not to refuse any forms of partnership that they are off ered. Beijing has not yet changed its policy towards the countries of Central Asia and adheres to the previous strategy: emphasis on the economy, non-interference in internal aff airs and the formation of a positive image of the country. At the same time, China is interested in the functioning of existing transport and logistics routes, stable economic development and political stability of the region. Since the early 1900s, Turkey has been trying to play the role of the leader of the Turkic community; it was the fi rst of all countries in the world to recognize the independence of the countries of Central Asia (CA). However, interaction within the framework of the Turkic Council, created by Turkey in 2009, which includes most of the Central Asian countries, takes place largely in a cultural and humanitarian vein. The echo of Western sanctions could not but aff ect the Central Asian countries, since they traditionally have close and intensive economic ties with Russia, including through integration associations (CIS and the EAEU to the CSTO) and fi nancial institutions. Against the backdrop of US and EU pressure on the elites of the Central Asian countries, Eurasian integration with Russia and China does not allow them to succumb to provocations from the West.