Chinese Security and Political Considerations in Central Asia (1991-2005)

Abstract The wave of Islamic radicalism in Central Asia and separatism threaten China’s neighboring autonomous and Muslim-populated Xinjiang region. There is much evidence indicating that the threat is clear-cut, though in Xinjiang Muslim dissidents are not much strong because of increasing suppression of Chinese people. In this article, the main question includes what is China’s main security and political concern in Central Asia which resulted in China’s expanding relations with these countries in 1992-2005. This article not only focuses on China’s major security and political concerns, but also underlines the fear of fundamentalism, radicalism, and terrorism especially Islamic radicalism in Central Asia.