Mark Manson

Since the end of the Cold War and the beginning of the 21st century, there has been no doubt that many geopolitical changes have occurred. Apart from the obvious such as the 9/11 attacks, there have also been other changes, some of which were not expected. The rise of China, and a lesser extent, Russia have been a source of much debate and controversy as they assert, their hegemony over Central Asia. Relations between Russia and China, it can be argued have improved since the end of the Cold War, so much so that have signed numerous treaties cementing their ties, as well as establishing their own multilateral institutions without the West. One area of contention that will be a pivotal point in Sino-Russian relations would be Central Asia, where the discoveries of massive hydrocarbon (oil and gas) reserves, as well as the collapse of the USSR in 1991, has become a focus of contention between many Great Powers with conflicting interests. This is in addition to its close proximity to the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan against Islamic fundamentalism, a major source of insecurity for all Central Asian states, as well as the Great Powers involved. Under the pretext of 9/11, the US have come to claim its share of the Central Asian resource boom, but will run up against a resurgent Russia, and a China looking to expand its share of global resources for its booming economy. The presence of the US in Afghanistan, has in itself has created fears within the Central Asian states, with the 'colour revolutions' as well as other unsuccessful uprisings, has brought China and Russia together to protect their interests in Central Asia and promote a new multi-polar order and global strategic balance. This thesis will argue that despite misgivings and criticism, relations between Russia and China have become closer, even more so ix with the establishment of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO), a new permanent multilateral organisation which has taken Sino-Russian relations to a new level and increasing its presence in a Central Asia that will also come under pressure from the West as hydrocarbon needs become ever more burdensome in the 21st century.