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Russia and China Vie for Central Asian Supremacy
Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing this week highlights the strength of Russian-Chinese relations, based around a shared suspicion of the West, as well as booming Chinese imports of Russian oil and gas. Although their friendship appears unbreakable, tensions are bubbling below the surface that could impact the alliance in the coming months. One area of potential friction is over the role each country plays in Central Asia, a region Moscow still considers to be in its sphere of influence with close historical and linguistic ties, while China sees Central Asia as a key part of its Belt and Road ... (full story)