Multilateralism, China's Strategy in Central Asia

Basically, the strategy of big emerging powers is interacting with their neighbors and regional powers to achieve the future goals and objectives. This assumption is important in the analysis of the ability of emerging powers and in predicting their future behavior. At the moment, there are many speculations about the future of China, especially if China's economy will surpass all important economies. The aim of this study is to describe this issue by examining China's multilateralist strategy in its relations with its neighbors, especially with Central Asian countries. The authors believe that the multilateralism of China in Central Asia is not a new approach and China has benefited from this strategy in the past in relations with its neighbors under the concept of Tian Xia, Si Yi doctrine (Defense through Barbarians) and Tributary Trade System. In order to prove or reject the hypothesis of the study, first, the concepts and principles of multilateralism will be defined and then classical and modern China's strategy in Central Asia will be analyzed by using a descriptive-analytical method.