Surprisingly to the West, Central Asian countries are collectively turning to China, and Russia is not only not angry but also welcomes this trend. Why is that? Putin is well aware that today is different from the past.

The second China-Central Asia Summit is currently being held in Kazakhstan and has achieved 86 cooperation outcome documents. One of the most eye-catching items is that China and the five Central Asian countries have signed a Treaty of Eternal Good Neighborliness and Cooperation.

In recent years, the diplomacy of Central Asian countries has undergone significant shifts. On one hand, they are accelerating their "de-Russification," while on the other hand, they are strengthening ties with China.

Russia has always been very sensitive to the diplomacy of Central Asian countries because, in Russia's eyes, Central Asian countries belong to its own "backyard."

Last August, former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and attended the first Japan-Central Asia Summit held in Kazakhstan, which caused great dissatisfaction in the Kremlin. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson criticized Japan for destroying "decades of economic relations between Central Asian countries and Russia."

However, regarding the strengthening of relations between Central Asian countries and China, the Kremlin stated that it was not worried at all.

Why is there such a difference? There are three reasons.

Firstly, Putin clearly understands that with Russia's current strength, it can no longer be the "leader" or drive development for Central Asian countries economically. What Central Asian countries want, Russia cannot provide, but China can.

Russia's economy is limited, whereas China has brought many development opportunities to Central Asian countries through a series of initiatives, as evidenced by the trade volume between China-Russia and Central Asian countries.

For example, in 2023, the trade volume between China and Kazakhstan reached $31.5 billion, while the trade volume between Russia and Kazakhstan was $26 billion. It won't take long before the trade volume between China and Kazakhstan completely surpasses that of Russia and Kazakhstan.

More importantly, there is strong complementarity between China and Central Asian countries in economic and trade matters, but Russia and Central Asian countries have competitive relationships.

Pu tin is well aware that he cannot stop or complain about these Central Asian brothers seeking higher ground; he cannot hinder their development opportunities.

Secondly, the relationship between China and Central Asian countries does not have a "anti-Russian" nature, which fundamentally distinguishes it from the relationships of the U.S. and Japan with Central Asian countries.

The relationship between China and Central Asian countries is relatively straightforward: one is to do business and expand bilateral economic and trade scales, creating development opportunities for each other; the other is to maintain regional security and stability.

Therefore, whether considering economic or security aspects, the relationship between China and Central Asian countries will not harm Russian interests; on the contrary, Russia can benefit from it. Hence, the Kremlin naturally does not worry about the relationship between China and Central Asian countries.

However, the relationship between the U.S. and Japan and Central Asian countries carries a clear "anti-Russian" nature.

Last year, Japan held the first summit with Central Asian countries, and the previous year, the U.S. held the "C5+1" mechanism dialogue with Central Asian countries. President Biden personally met with the leaders of the five Central Asian countries and made various promises.

The reason why Japan and the U.S. suddenly showed great interest in Central Asian countries is simple: they want to penetrate their influence into the Central Asian region to counteract Russia.

In other words, the relationship between the U.S. and Japan with Central Asian countries harms Russian interests and threatens Russian security. The Kremlin naturally disapproves of this.

The third reason is based on the good and stable relationship between China and Russia.

As Peskov said, Russia is not concerned about the relationship between China and Central Asian countries because China is Russia's privileged strategic partner, and Central Asian countries are also Russia's allies and partners.

In other words, China, Russia, and Central Asian countries can develop into cooperative partners and achieve mutual benefits and win-win results. Naturally, Russia has no reason to doubt or worry.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7517094387441123876/

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