China’s Impact on Democracy and Human Rights in Central Asia

Sebastien Peyrouse

doi:10.1163/18750230-bja10012

Abstract

Abstract This article analyzes the impact of China’s policy on politics and human rights in Central Asia. First, it discusses how Beijing’s narrative has supported authoritarianism in the region. Second, it analyzes some of the tools of authoritarianism China has exported to support the political legitimacy of Central Asian authorities and their efforts to monitor their citizens. In conclusion, this article argues that although China has had a tangible impact on human rights in Central Asia, other elements also need to be taken into consideration to understand authoritarian tendencies in the region, including the influence of other foreign actors such as Russia as well as the goals of the Central Asian leaders themselves, who are not passive recipients of Chinese policy but rather have embarked on their own on road of authoritarianism since independence.

Highlights

Since the 2000s, China has engaged in a strategy to leverage its economic influence and its political influence in countries where it invests and develops trade relations
This article argues that China has had a tangible impact on human rights in Central Asia, other elements need to be taken into consideration to understand authoritarian tendencies in the region, including the influence of other foreign actors such as Russia as well as the goals of the Central Asian leaders themselves, who are not passive recipients of Chinese policy but rather have embarked on their own on road of authoritarianism since independence
China wants to prevent any possibility for political destabilization that it fears the West could initiate in the region through promotion of democracy and human rights and that could impact its interests, in particular its development program in Xinjiang

Summary

Rights in Central Asia

1.1 The Chinese Approach to Western Values in Asia and Beyond Beijing has used the structures that are part of or affiliated with Chinese Communist Party organs and government agencies, such as the Communist Youth League of China, think tanks,[4] and international organizations under its influence, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (sco), to call into question the “Western” values of democracy and human rights. According to the China Institute of International Studies, a think tank which is administered by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by being an early leader in the Central Asian region in so-called radical democratic reforms and prioritizing political reforms over economic transformation, Bishkek departed from Kyrgyzstan’s own reality and from the wishes of its people.[10] This political choice is, said to be the main source of repeated unrest in the country, which was facilitated by Western-based non-governmental organizations alleged to have been active in all major political crises that have taken place in the country This includes the overthrow of President Zheenbekov in 2020, which is viewed as the West further weakening regional security.[11]. Kazakhstan has been held up as an example thanks to former President Nazarbayev’s ability to take tough measures to keep stability and order, and to his ban on some Western-funded non-governmental organizations and strict control over their activities, to his extreme distrust of Western propaganda, and to his choice to implement reforms based on the principle of “economy first, politics”.31

Chinese Efforts in Practice in Central Asia

Findings

Conclusion