ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses Russia as far as China's new energy and security diplomacy is concerned. China sought to demarcate, demilitarize, and stabilize borders with Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Subsequently, energy issues, threats from the so-called "three evils" of terrorism, separatism, and extremism, and drug trafficking became important factors in China's policy calculus toward Central Asia. To secure energy to satisfy its domestic economic growth is obviously a major driving force behind China's current policy towards Central Asia and other oil-rich regions. China's involvement in Central Asia has been largely beneficial to all parties concerned. China's economic and security policies towards Central Asia and Russia are part of its global diplomacy to seek energy and expand soft power. A primary strategic concern for China is that Central Asia must be stable. Because of the long and porous borders, if Central Asia runs into military conflicts or ethnic riots, they are likely to spread over to Xinjiang.
