Protests & Diplomacy in Central Asia: Shifting Roles of China, Russia, and Europe - Oyuna Baldakova

Oyuna Baldakova, a PhD Candidate at the Free University of Berlin, shares her research on Chinese investment and Belt and Road developments in Russia (Lake Baikal, Siberia) and Central Asia. She explores how conflicting interests among local elites and domestic political leaders have fueled anti-Chinese sentiments and protests against BRI projects, as well as the implications of China's involvement in Central Asia for European diplomacy in the region.

Our discussion is based on her two articles on the MERICS Blog:
- Protests along the BRI: China's prestige project meets growing resistance
- China's Central Asian connection

Recommendations:
Oyuna:
- China's Western Horizon by Daniel Markey
- Song of the Tree (Film)
Erik:
- Inclusive Development International's tools for navigating engagement with the AIIB
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Film)
Juliet:
- Social Contagion: Microbiological Class War in China on the Chuangcn.org blog