ASSESSMENTS

Central Asia's Economic Evolution From Russia To China

Apr 5, 2018 | 17:45 GMT

Snow covers a street in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on Dec. 27, 2017.

Snow covers a street in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on Dec. 27, 2017.

(VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP/Getty Images)

Central Asia has undergone a significant economic transformation in recent years as trade and investment in the region have shifted away from Russia and toward China. Russia remains a major economic force in Central Asia, and China's rise in the region complements its interests in many ways -- or at least doesn't directly contradict them. But Central Asia's growing economic dependence on China and Beijing's increasing political and security influence in the region could foster increased tensions between the two powers....