CHINA US Focus - Perspectives shaping the world's most important bilateral relationship

As US and NATO forces prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014, Washington must carefully examine the strategic power vacuum that will be left in its void. Given China’s increasing influence in Central Asia, US policy makers must be cognizant of its recommendations for managing the region and enlist China’s assistance to implement them.

 One thing any visitor to Kazakhstan notices is how prominent China has become to Kazakhstani thinking. Kazakhstan’s goals regarding China include obtaining assistance in promoting Kazakhstan’s national independence, territorial integrity, and economic development. Since these objectives align well with the PRC’s own goals, Chinese-Kazakhstani relations have been generally good. China’s growing economic and security presence [...]