«China’s Expanding Role in Central Asia — Russia’s Partner or Competitor?»

Join us for an insightful lecture by Dr. Elizabeth A. Wishnick on the topic «China’s Expanding Role in Central Asia — Russia’s Partner or Competitor?»
The lecture is co-organized by our school and American Councils for International Education and held as part of the U.S.-Central Asia Research Network Program (U.S.-CARNet). U.S.-CARNet is funded by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic and administered by American Councils for International Education.

About the lecturer: Elizabeth Wishnick is an Adjunct Senior Research Scholar at the Weatherhead East Asia Institute, Columbia University, and a Senior Research Scientist in the China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division at CNA. Dr. Wishnick has dual regional expertise on China and Russia and an expert on Chinese foreign policy, Sino-Russian relations, Northeast Asian and Central Asian security, and Arctic geopolitics. Her book, China’s Risk China’s Risk: Energy, Water, Food and Regional Security (forthcoming Columbia University Press) addresses the security consequences of energy, water and food risks in China for its Eurasian neighbors, a topic she explores in a related policy blog, www.chinasresourcerisks.com.

Synopsis: Dr. Elizabeth Wishnick will examine how China’s perspective on geopolitics, domestic politics, economic interests, and cultural factors shape its role in Central Asia, with special emphasis on Kazakhstan. Dr. Wishnick also will address the contention by some experts that, since the full-scale war in Ukraine, Russia’s role has been diminishing as China’s expands. Beijing’s effort to increase its influence is occurring at a time when Central Asian states are developing their own agenda for regional integration. In conclusion, she will address how Central Asian states are responding to efforts by China to expand its role in the region.