China’s BRI Gets a Central Asian Boost
Uzbekistan's dramatic transformation under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will give China's Belt and Road Initiative a big boost. Uzbekistan is Central Asia's capstone country, with the largest population, the biggest industrial potential borders with all of the other Central Asian states. Under the cantankerous former President Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan was an impediment to the integration of the Central Asian states and the realization of China’s BRI. Now things are changing, fast. Uzbekistan’s newfound openness will benefit China’s Belt and Road Initiative both directly and indirectly. It will have a direct positive impact by making it easier and more secure for the Chinese and others to invest in transport infrastructure crisscrossing Central Asia. It will have an indirect positive impact by facilitating economic growth in Central Asia — rendering the Belt and of a road to nowhere, and more economically meaningful for the Chinese.
Read the rest of our analysis on the Diplomat: https://lnkd.in/eWuD8Gn
EXBS Advisor, Office of Export Control Cooperation, Department of State
6 年I read a great article on the impact of OBOR on national debts and how that impacts a country’s relationship with China over the long term. Eight of the 60+ countries are at high risk, many in Central Asia.
Research Professor and Head of Center for Energy Research at NUPI
6 年Excellent piece