The geopolitical significance of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China’s domestic policy

Abstract

The article examines the geopolitical significance of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China’s domestic policy and the policy of «Developing Western Regions» from the Kazakh point of view. China’s rapid economic development, with a population of about one billion four hundred million people, radically changes the balance of world power. The development of friendly and equal relations with such a huge country is one of the main necessities of Kazakhstan. In recent years, China is intensively developing the economy of the Western regions, among them XUAR is the main object. In general, the Western region of China, in particular the Xinjiang District, affects the development of trade and economic relations and cross-border cooperation between Kazakhstan and China. Yet, which side is making rational steps in cross-border cooperation, trade relations and cultural ties? What positive or negative influence can the policy of China «Development of Western regions» have on Kazakhstan and Central Asia in general?
Key words: China, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, geopolitics, the policy of «Developing Western Regions».