Following the break up of the Soviet Union and fundamental changes in China's domestic and foreign politics, Central Asia has become an increasingly important focus for its southeastern neighbor. During this process, China has been pushed to rethink its image of Central Asia and to redefine its policy in the region in order to meet the demands of present conditions.
After reviewing the roots of the relationship between China and Central Asia since ancient times, the study offers a wide range of problems that have emerged between the two sides over the last decade. Reference is made to the proposed ground rules for promoting ties between China and Central Asia: peaceful coexistence, economic prosperity, non-interference in internal affairs, respecting territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The biggest concerns for China seem to arise out of fear of ethnic nationalism and the revival of Islam in the Newly Independent States of Central Asia and the possible impact of these trends for the security both in the region and in China itself. However, recent years have witnessed a period of dialogue and cooperation, rather than the uncertainty and fear commonly found in other post-Soviet regions.