Central Asia is positioned to be one of the key pillars of China’s BRI. This paper provides an analysis of the two susceptible areas of cooperation between China and Central Asian states, the level of risks posed by ignoring of which should not be underestimated: transboundary water resources management and mineral resources development. If not timely and adequately addressed, the environmental, economic and social sensitivity of these issues, which already triggers local public discontent in some of the Central Asian countries, may adversely affect the sustainability of the BRI initiative for all parties concerned.
Author: Farkhod Aminjonov