Chinese Energy Diplomacy in the Caspian Basin and its Impact on Energy Security of Europe

In the anarchic international system, there is no superior authority and no coercive power to enforce law and order in international politics. Therefore, states rely on their internal capabilities to ensure their security. China needs abundant energy resources and an uninterrupted supply of energy to sustain its economic growth. It is seeking to diversify its energy import routes through pipelines. In addition, Europe has been trying to diversify its energy import routes away from Russia following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Caspian resources are an alternative for both sides. The aim of this study is therefore to examine Are the energy cooperation trends in the Caspian Basin based on interdependence towards China or Europe? The research hypothesis is that the stable growth of China's energy consumption and fewer conflicts in the eastern part of the Caspian Basin have led the Caspian countries to cooperate more with China in the energy sector than with Europe. The research findings show that China has been experiencing sustained growth in gross domestic product (GDP) and human development index (HDI) for years after its economic reforms. Moreover, Chinese energy diplomacy in the Caspian Basin can be defined within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and mutual cooperation with Caspian Basin countries. After all, the conflicts around the Caspian Sea in the west have geopolitical roots, but in the east of the Caspian Sea the conflicts have internal roots. Therefore, the current trends in the Caspian Basin have resulted in the Caspian Basin moving towards China.