Xi Focus at SCO Summit Astana

Professor Josef Gregory Mahoney - Politics and International Relations East China Normal University Shanghai China joined CGTN to discuss President Xi's attendance of the SCO meeting in Astana

Xi Focus at SCO Summit in Astana

Professor Josef Gregory Mahoney - Politics and International Relations East China Normal University Shanghai China joined #cgtn to discuss President Xi's attendance of the Shanghai Cooperation meeting in #astana and his state visits with the presidents of #kazakhstan and #tajikistan.

The biggest accomplishments include continuing to reinforce and expancthe #sco, which has been instrumental in resisting as well as managinghegemony and security concerns in Central Asia, especially following the Usinvasion of Afghanistan following 9/11, when the US operated airbases in formeSoviet republics, creating risks for China and Russia, and started promotingcolor revolutions in the region that other countries found unwelcome

We also saw Xi welcomed with official state visits in Kazakhstan. with whonChina already has strong relations, and in Taiikistan, where ties continue togrow, China and Taiikistan already have a comprehensive strategic partnershipbut Xi proposed upgrading ties to better reflect the emergent needs of the NewEra, including deepening trade ties and promoting more synergies in nationaldevelopment strategies, especially through high quality Belt-and-Roadprojects.

Competing with Russia? Or the Us? OrIndia?

All the major powers have interests in Central Asia. The US continues to lookfor new airbase access, India has airbase access in Taiikistan. Russia hastraditionally viewed the area as its backyard and sphere of influence, whileChina is now playing a pivotal role in helping the region develop, become moresecure and independent.

It's true that Russian and Chinese strategic interests have some vital alignmentthat necessitate cooperation in some areas but they also diverge and perhapscompete in others, Some believe that Russia is sensitive to China's growinginfluence and clout in Central Asia, and some argue that President Putin's visit!to North Korea and Vietnam ahead of President Xi's state visits in Kazakhstanand Taiikistan indicate a bit of game playing between the two leaders. in fact.that's both possible and reasonable from a realist perspective. But it's also truthat China is more concerned about US trying to reenter Central Asia, andcertainly China has questions about India's base in Tajikistan, given thestrategic competition we seeeiting and New Delhi

That said, yesterday an Indian diplomat expressed his optimism to me following a positive encounter between the Indian EAM and Chinese officials on the sidelines in Astana, And l would say whatever tensions and strategic competitions exist between these Asian powers, which can play out in some bilateral ties, the SCO continues to provide a multilateral means for managing difficult intersection of relationships in ways that support regional development and security for the greater good of Asia.

Professor Mahoney Teaches Politics at East China Normal University

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