Publication

This issue examines Chinese political, economic and security intentions for Russian and Central Asian oil and gas reserves and analyzes the implications of Sino-Kazak and Sino-Russian oil cooperation. The author points out that China’s increased influence in Russia and Central Asia raises a number of challenges for policymakers, including: lack of transparency in the bidding process; the potential exclusion of meaningful US involvement; and a possible military component to petroleum agreements. The article concludes that pipelines through China from Central Asia and Russia would help diversify Northeast Asian energy supply reducing the region’s dependence on the Middle East, helping to meet the growing demand for resources, and offering American companies alternative routes to transport their oil and gas from the former Soviet Union.