Abstract
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), previously known as the Shanghai Five, was formed in June 2001 as a security engagement organization. It is a highly influential organization in the Eurasian continent, and most Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan included - are members of SCO, as well as China. In recent years, the Chinese water diplomacy towards Kazakhstan has advanced in different agreements that are shaping the patterns of water security in Central Asia. The Chinese strategic interest in the development of the scope of the SCO in this region has made Kazakh transboundary water issues to advance in negotiations. However, these agreements have been made in a bilateral scheme, which is considered relatively unequal towards Kazakh interests; therefore, in spite of the Kazakh efforts, the SCO so far has not turned into a water security organization. This paper is going to analyze the current trends in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as well as the Sino-Kazakh cooperation platform, especially regarding transboundary water resources. From the perspective of the critical geopolitics scholarship and its considerations regarding the concepts of hegemony and zones of influence, the idea that the Sino-Kazakh cooperation has advanced following Chinese interests is going to be defended. In conclusion, this paper states that due to the lack of interest regarding Chinese water diplomacy, and despite of Kazakh efforts, the SCO is not in the near future launching great initiatives regarding water security in the region, reinforcing the Chinese diplomacy of bilateral water agreements. Recebido em 14/04/2021Aprovado em 19/09/2021
Highlights
In recent years, the Chinese water diplomacy towards Kazakhstan has advanced in different agreements that are shaping the patterns of water security in Central Asia
This paper is going to analyze the current trends in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as well as the Sino-Kazakh cooperation platform, especially regarding transboundary water resources
From the perspective of the critical geopolitics scholarship and its considerations regarding the concepts of hegemony and zones of influence, the idea that the Sino-Kazakh cooperation has advanced following Chinese interests is going to be defended
Summary
Since the end of the Cold War, in the 1990s, there has been a growing interest of the Russian and Chinese states to overcome the institutions of the previous bipolar conflict, which due to bipolar state-alliance forms of cooperation, do not correspond effectively to new security concerns. There is a contradiction in the functionality terms of the SCO; as its enlargement is noticeable, and its prestige, political challenges and rivalry tensions simultaneously threaten the effectiveness of the organizational objectives Bilateral relations, such as the Sino-Kazakh, are a trend regarding Chinese policies to Central Asia. With the acceptance of India as a Russian ally to counterbalance the evergrowing Chinese influence in the organization and the success of the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union, Beijing turned its action to bilateral agreements with Central Asia partners, with concessions towards Kazakhstan. It can be considered a soft form of consent, as highlighted by Agnew. The patterns of such Sino-Kazakh cooperation, as a form of co-opting Kazakhstan in Chinese terms and interests, are going to be described and analyzed, especially in the matter of water diplomacy
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