6th International Conference on China and the United States in Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia

About the Conference

China’s expanding presence across Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia is reshaping the political, economic, and security landscapes of the twenty-first century. Through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has invested heavily in infrastructure, trade, and development partnerships that have redefined connectivity between Asia, Europe, and Africa. At the same time, the United States continues to play a decisive role in these same regions through its network of alliances, defense cooperation, development aid, and strategic competition with Beijing. While some analysts frame these developments as part of a “new Cold War,” others view them as opportunities for renewed dialogue, cooperation, and inclusive growth across the Global South.

This conference seeks to move beyond binary narratives of rivalry and dominance. Instead, it will explore the intersections, overlaps, and tensions between Chinese and American strategies and the ways in which regional actors exercise their own agency in navigating these global transformations. From the energy corridors of Central Asia to the maritime routes of the Indian Ocean, and from technological innovation in the Gulf to political realignments in Africa, these dynamics reveal a world increasingly defined by multipolar interdependence rather than simple polarization.

Participants will examine the strategic, economic, and normative dimensions of global engagement. Key themes include infrastructure and connectivity, digital and green transitions, regional security architectures, development financing, and soft power. The goal is not merely to assess competition but to highlight spaces of cooperation and mutual learning that can contribute to sustainable and equitable development across the Global South.

The conference aims to bring together a diverse community of scholars, policymakers, and graduate students from different world regions and disciplines — including international relations, political economy, sociology, area studies, and security studies. Through panels, roundtables, and keynote discussions, participants will engage in evidence-based dialogue on both global strategies and local realities. Particular attention will be given to how states and societies in Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia interpret and respond to the evolving U.S.–China dynamic, crafting hybrid policies that reflect their own national priorities, identities, and developmental aspirations.

Suggested Themes
We welcome individual papers, panels, and round table proposals addressing (but not limited to) the following:

Central Asia
China’s BRI and U.S. strategic responses
Competing security architectures: SCO vs. U.S. regional security initiatives
U.S.–China energy diplomacy and infrastructure rivalry
Central Asian agency in balancing Washington and Beijing

Middle East
Energy politics: U.S. and China in the Gulf
Great power approaches to the Israel–Palestine conflict
Technology, arms sales, and competing defense strategies
Religion, soft power, and legitimacy narratives

Africa
U.S. aid and private investment vs. Chinese infrastructure finance
Digital Silk Road and U.S. tech-security competition
Debt, sovereignty, and African agency
Education, soft power, and development strategies

South Asia
Sino–Indian rivalry and U.S.–India strategic alignment
Pakistan between CPEC and U.S. security ties
Maritime politics in the Indian Ocean: ports, bases, and naval strategies
Smaller states (Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal) navigating rivalry

Cross-Regional Perspectives
Comparative studies of U.S. and Chinese engagements in the Global South
Global governance and multipolarity
Domestic drivers: Xinjiang, U.S. domestic politics, and global perceptions
The role of Russia, Turkey, the EU, and Gulf states in shaping U.S.–China dynamics

Key Information
Venue: Turan University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Languages: English (with selected panels possibly in Russian/Kazakh/Chinese)
Format: In-person, with limited hybrid participation for international presenters
Proposal Submission
Abstracts: 250–300 words (with title, author affiliation, and contact details)
Panel Proposals: 3–4 paper abstracts with a panel chair/discussant
Deadline: March 30, 2026
Full Papers Due: April 20, 2026
Submission to: k.tugrul@turan-edu.kz

Publication Opportunities
Selected conference papers will be reviewed, edited, and published as an edited volume in the Routledge Research in Eurasian Geopolitics Book Series.
https://chinastan.org/publications/