China's Growing Influence in Central Asia

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to host the China-Central Asia Summit this week, the first in-person, high-level meeting between Xi and Central Asian leaders since Beijing established diplomatic ties with their countries more than three decades ago. China is trying to build up "regional unity" to support its goals, including access to the region's natural gas reserves and the Belt and Road Initiative. After the summit, Beijing is expected to launch new visa-free initiatives with several Central Asian countries. Though Russia has long been viewed as the main provider of security to Central Asia, Beijing has been deepening security arrangements with countries like Tajikistan in recent years.