China’s footprint in Central Asia

European thought traditionally imagines Central Asia as a remote and disconnected “hinterland”. It is no less of a cliché, but it would be more useful to think of the region as a Eurasian core, as the geographical centrality of the region and competition between great powers do imbue Central Asia with greater relevance. The EU has designated China as an “economic competitor” and a “systemic rival”. If the new “geopolitical Commission” truly wants to mitigate Beijing’s influence, Central Asia is a good place to exercise its nascent geopolitical muscle.