Abstract:

Unraveling China’s Contemporary Military Diplomacy towards Central Asia: Evolution, Dynamics, and New Trends

Central Asia holds strategic importance for China beyond its natural resources and as a market for Chinese economic activities. The Chinese leadership asserts that security conditions in Central Asia directly influence China's western borders and the stability of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR). Traditionally, the security dynamics between China and the five Central Asian nations evolved predominantly through formal diplomatic channels, bilateral agreements, and within the institutional framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). This collaboration was conducted primarily through the military channels of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the defense ministries of the regional states, encompassing areas such as counterterrorism, military training, and intelligence sharing.

In recent years, however, China has shifted towards integrated collaborations with paramilitary and internal security forces in Central Asia. For example, since 2019, China’s People’s Armed Police (PAP) and Ministry of Public Security (MPS) have been training local police forces and conducting counter-terror drills. Furthermore, China has deployed two PAP outposts in Tajikistan. This strategic shift reflects China’s broader approach to addressing non-traditional security threats in the region, which require specialized responses beyond the capabilities of conventional military forces. Consequently, the MPS and the PAP, which are specifically trained for such operations, have become the primary coordinating bodies for China’s security activities in Central Asia.

This research paper will examine the evolution and dynamics of security cooperation between China and Central Asia over the past two decades. It will explore the rationale behind China’s new security approach to the region and its implications for the regional states. The paper will argue that by enhancing the capabilities of Central Asian security forces, China aims not only to ensure the safety of its investments and citizens in the region but also to maintain its own domestic stability. It will contend that this new trend aligns with China’s new security concepts, namely the “China + Central Asia” initiative and the Global Security Initiative, which emphasize countering non-traditional threats.