Statecraft in the Steppes: Central Asia’s Relations with China

Abstract

Central Asia and China enjoy a mutually beneficial, albeit hugely asymmetrical, relationship. Nevertheless, leaders in Central Asia have occasionally and selectively resisted a broadening and deepening of their relations with China. Framed by a ‘hedging’ foreign policy approach, this article suggests that the practice of hedging arises not just from structural and exogenous conditions but is also facilitated by domestic considerations peculiar to each Central Asian state. The claim here is not that leaders in Central Asia are effective or proficient hedgers; rather, that some are attempting to use hedging as part of their statecraft. The varying ability of leaders in Central Asia to hedge, manage, and negotiate their relations with China is often under-appreciated but deserves to be highlighted as an evolving approach.