China, Russia and Central Asian infrastructure: fragmenting or reformatting the region?

In: Palgrave series in Asia and Pacific studies

Abstract

There is no overstating the outsized influence of the Chinese and the Russians on regionalism in Central Asia. Peter Krasnopolsky has written an outstanding work on the patterns of cooperation and competition that define the regions evolving infrastructure and connectivity, and the respective contributions by China and Russia to that end. Krasnopolskys book is an absolute must read for anyone seeking to understand contemporary Central Asia. See Seng Tan, Research Advisor, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore With all eyes on the significance of Sino-Russian relations for global politics, Peter Krasnopolsky highlights the challenges their partnership has posed for Central Asias regional economic development. His extensive field work provides a granular exploration of the different impacts Russia and China have had on the trajectory of Central Asian regionalism, especially in building institutions, infrastructure, and connectivity. Elizabeth Wishnick, Senior Research Scientist CNA, and Professor of Political Science, Montclair State University, US The book evaluates Central Asian regionalism by analyzing the impact of Russia and China on physical infrastructure. The study covers the 30-year period after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, with a focus on the decade preceding the pandemic. Multiple case studies of projects in the networked sectors of infrastructure demonstrate the impact of major powers engagement on regional connectivity. The book is of interest to the scholars of international relations in Eurasia, Sino-Russian relations, Chinas foreign policy, Russias policy in the former Soviet space, international institutions in Asia, and regionalism. The empirical depth contributes to Central Asia area studies. The in-depth cases on multilateral financial institutions and regional networks, particularly energy, transportation and telecommunication, would be of great value to those interested in these sectors. Peter Krasnopolsky lived and taught in China for ten years. He conducted research in, Beijing, Bishkek, and Almaty and traveled extensively through China and Central Asia. Peter received Bachelors from Rutgers, Masters from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and Ph. D. from the University of Nottingham. He is based in Bayonne, New Jersey.