China's Policy Towards Central Asian SCO States

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a platform that helps the Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) to strengthen its  political ties with the republics of Central Asia. The main dimension of China’s cooperation with its partners from the region is in the economic sphere. China's aim is to stabilise the Central Asian states, which are important for the security of the region, including the Chinese province of Xinjiang. The PRC may soon become the most important external international actor in Central Asia. The European Union, despite much weaker potential, should also be politically present in the region.