With Central Asia rising, John Lee’s visit was well timed

Central Asia, encompassing Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan, is emerging as a region of significant geopolitical interest, a concept explored in the 2022 book "Sinostan" which described it as China’s “inadvertent empire.” Situated at the core of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, this five-country region, informally known as the C5, is increasingly drawing global attention.

Historically, Central Asia was characterized as a neglected underbelly of the former Soviet empire, with small, sparsely populated Muslim economies primarily trading natural resources with Russia. Even Kazakhstan, despite its size comparable to India, had a population of only 21 million and a GDP four-fifths that of Hong Kong.

However, the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 ushered in a period of instability, marked by corruption, border disputes, and the rise of radical Islam. Regional conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan further deterred investment. More recently, the region has seen positive transformation, largely propelled by China's substantial Belt and Road Initiative investments.

Beijing's strategy appears linked to stabilizing its Xinjiang province. The logic suggests that economic development and improved living conditions are crucial for quelling unrest in Xinjiang, and this prosperity is intrinsically tied to the economic growth of its Central Asian neighbors.

This evolving landscape makes Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee's recent mission to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan particularly well-timed. His visit underscores the growing strategic and economic importance of Central Asia on the global stage.