The research is devoted to the study of China’s strategy of interaction with the Central Asian states. Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan continue to attract great powers with their abundant natural resources, advantageous geographical location, and geographical proximity to Russia, Iran, China. The purpose of this work is to identify the goals of the PRC in the region at the present stage and the methods used to achieve them. The works of predominantly Western researchers were chosen as sources, since the West analyzes in detail China’s foreign and domestic political activities, its competitor for influence in this region. The methods of comparative analysis (comparison of the instruments of influence used by China and the West and their interests) and comparative historical analysis (identification of the features of Chinese policy in Central Asia over the past 20 years) were used. As a result, we have the following conclusions: the Central Asian republics will remain the place of struggle for external players seeking to gain access to its resources and levers of influence on its national elites and influencing the economic, informational, ideological, and cyber spaces. That is, the rivalry between external actors has a hybrid nature, which makes it difficult to pursue an independent policy. Thus, the Central Asian republics need to attentively monitor the activities of such non-state and state actors which are associated with external financing and influence. It is important to strive for genuine cooperation between the Central Asian states and their closest neighbors, so as not to become a tool in the hands of external actors seeking to increase their own well-being.

The research is devoted to the study of China’s strategy of interaction with the Central Asian states. Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan continue to attract great powers with their abundant natural resources, advantageous geographical location, and geographical proximity to Russia, Iran, China. The purpose of this work is to identify the goals of the PRC in the region at the present stage and the methods used to achieve them. The works of predominantly Western researchers were chosen as sources, since the West analyzes in detail China’s foreign and domestic political activities, its competitor for influence in this region. The methods of comparative analysis (comparison of the instruments of influence used by China and the West and their interests) and comparative historical analysis (identification of the features of Chinese policy in Central Asia over the past 20 years) were used. As a result, we have the following conclusions: the Central Asian republics will remain the place of struggle for external players seeking to gain access to its resources and levers of influence on its national elites and influencing the economic, informational, ideological, and cyber spaces. That is, the rivalry between external actors has a hybrid nature, which makes it difficult to pursue an independent policy. Thus, the Central Asian republics need to attentively monitor the activities of such non-state and state actors which are associated with external financing and influence. It is important to strive for genuine cooperation between the Central Asian states and their closest neighbors, so as not to become a tool in the hands of external actors seeking to increase their own well-being.