China reshaping Russia-dominated energy in Central Asia | Eastern Express

In the middle of August, a major power disruption hit parts of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, highlighting the vulnerability of Central Asia’s Soviet-era, interconnected electricity system.

For a long time, Russia has used energy infrastructure as both an economic tool and a source of political leverage. The war in Ukraine is accelerating Central Asia’s search for alternative partners and routes, but with China expanding its economic and energy footprint, will diversifying away from Moscow not simply make the region dependent on Beijing?

In this episode of Eastern Express host Benjamin Lee is joined by Krzysztof Jaworski, Deputy Director at the Institute for Security and International Development, to discuss why energy security is becoming a strategic priority for the region and – against the backdrop of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek and closer ties between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping – how Central Asian states are balancing Russia, China, and other partners while trying to preserve their strategic independence.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction: Central Asia’s energy security challenge – Russia as primary supplier
02:52 Introduction: Negative effects of Soviet-era interdependence and regional geopolitics
07:45 Interview: Russia’s energy leverage – infrastructure
10:15 Interview: Balancing diversification with dependence on Russia
14:39 Interview: China’s growing influence and the risks of forging new dependencies
16:22 Interview: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Sino-Russian relations
19:13 Eastern News Flash

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