中國斯坦：不經意創造的中亞帝國

by Raffaello Pantucci, Alexandros Petersen, 拉菲羅·龐圖奇

中國的崛起正在改變世界。中國的地緣經濟願景如何打亂全球經濟，中國科技如何改造世界，引人注目。然而，在與中國西方邊界接壤的中亞，中國的影響力一直悄悄擴張，滲透深入。在這裡，習近平首度提出宏大的「一帶一路」倡議，打算建造通往西邊的新絲綢之路。要了解中國的新外交願景及其造成的後果，我們應該到歐亞大陸心臟地帶探究。

在《中國斯坦》這本書裡，兩位廣受讚揚的外交政策專家記述他們遊歷中亞的旅行，關注中亞地區的最新發展，談論中國正在擴張的影響力。他們訪問絲綢之路市集裡的中國商人，翻越偏遠險峻的山區隘口。他們同情阿富汗考古學家，必須負責保全擁有數百年歷史的佛教古蹟，防止古蹟在採礦工程中遭到破壞殆盡。他們訪問滿懷熱血學習漢文的中亞年輕人，同時造訪中亞五國的首都，訪問官員、聽官員訴說他們親眼見證北京日益改變中亞地區。其故事和經歷，闡明了中國的外交政策倡議如何在中亞當地推動，以及如何影響住在這個中國「不經意創造的中亞帝國」裡裡外外的人們。

Genres: China, Politics, Asia, History, Nonfiction

356 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2023

Reviews

[Shrike58 · Rating 3 out of 5]

In regards to the tripod representing reportage, history, and analysis, this offering is the sort of current affairs book that is somewhat short on history as opposed to the other two agendas. Frankly, one suspects that Pantucci mostly finished this book as a homage to his co-writer, who wound up being murdered in Afghanistan; a document of their joint adventures in the region.

Be that as it may, Pantucci is mostly offering a commentary on how Beijing was/is acquiring a zone of influence, if not an empire in the former Soviet states of Central Asia, though Pantucci sees the main impetus as originally coming from the effort to suppress anti-Han sentiment in Xinjiang. The argument being that the New Silk Road is basically an example of the CCP's play-book of offering prosperity in exchange for authority. Keep in mind that Beijing has had visions of bringing Xinjiang under central control since the peak of the Qing Dynasty.

Still, and probably to no surprise of Pantucci, this book is becoming dated fast. He has tried to work the great COVID pandemic into the mix, but this book is obviously too late to be influenced by the Russo-Ukrainian War, or Donald Trump's efforts to shake down the global economy.

Probably most important recent development is the rising sense that Xi Jinping, who had the vision of the New Silk Road, has had his wings clipped by the elders of the Chinese Communist Party, and will apparently be out of power by the end of the year. Though it seems unlikely that this event, in and of itself, will be sufficient to roll back the current Chinese tide. If the global co-prosperity system that dominated the world after the fall of the Soviet Union has run its course, Beijing is certainly going to strive even harder to carved out its own version of self-sufficiency; regardless of who is in charge.

[Mark E · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great title for a book, not matched by the quality of the read, alas. This doesn’t have the authority of a Peter Frankopan or Peter Hopkirk. The writing does not flow like it is written (or edited) by a native English speaker. The paragraphs are often long and clause-heavy. Sadly for a Oxford publication, there are several typos. Too much reliance on poorly re-told comments from local people. Too little focus on the period from 2014-2023. Too little focus on the Chinese mind-control factories in Xinjiang - and whether/how this impacts the Stans. What a shame

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of a meandering travelogue. Limited analysis and lacking structure.

[Ryan Sylvester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and underexplored subject matter, so I was really excited to start this one. Unfortunately I was disappointed to find most of the anecdotes / data were from 2011-2014. This book was published in 2022. That 8 year gap might as well be an eternity when it comes to China development. Still had some interesting stories, but I was left wondering how much things have changed since COVID.

[Jibran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A decent book on a largely underdiscussed aspect of China's geopolitical strategy in Central Asia. The anecdotal/travel writing style makes it more engaging. Would be interested to read a future book by the author on how things have developed post Covid-19.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of information yet most of it was quite dated. He was definitely pro-China and played down the human rights abuses and aggressive military actions they’ve been taking in the last few years.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

- China's Central Asia policies are reflection of the country's approaches to stabilize and develop Xinjiang
- the inadvertent empire, got it

[Iván · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesante ensayo sobre la influencia política y comercial de China en Asia Central. Los tanes han pasado de antiguo patio trasero de Rusia a foco de la expansión e inversiones de China. Referencias a la región autónoma china de Xinjiang aparecen a lo largo de todo el libro.