Central Asia’s Foreign Relations:A Comparison Between the Soviet and Post-Soviet Era

Central Asia’s pivotal geographical position allowed it to play an essential role in relations among nations of Eurasia in the Middle Ages,as the bridge between China and Europe.Yet,during the Russian and then the Soviet rule on Central Asia,the region’s republics had no independent position in international community as foreign relations were formed and managed by central government in Moscow.The collapse of the Union of Soviet in 1991 made salient the geopolitical,economic,and cultural importance of the five former Soviet Central Asian republics.Accordingly,the republics reemerged as independent actors in the global interstate system and could play a role in international affairs during the last three decades.This paper aims to compare Central Asia’s foreign relations in the Soviet and Post-Soviet era.

Transition of China's Diplomacy and Foreign Relations

The present paper focuses on the transformation of China＇s foreign affairs. The transformation is closely associated with and mutually reinforced by the developmental changes that have taken place in China. China＇s strong economic focus has had a profound effect on its foreign relations and international strategies. With sustained growth over the past three decades （1978-2008）, China has become an important member of the world community. In particular, its influence has been growing in the Asia-Pacific area. China＇s unique developmental model and path are recognized and scrutinized worldwide. The present paper discusses special aspects of foreign aid and also explores the changes in principles of and approaches taken in the application of foreign aid policies. Under dual external and internal pressure, China has to constantly adjust, renew and improve its approach to diplomatic and international relations.

Four Points toward the Understanding of Egypt’s Foreign Relations

To understand and perceive the foreign relations of contemporary Egypt,the focus must be placed on four essential starting points,namely,geography,interests,the Cold War and the leaders of Egypt.As the basis of Egypt’s foreign relations,the geography of Egypt determines fundamental directions of Egypt’s foreign relations:the Arab world,Israel,great powers,Europe and Africa.Although safeguarding national interests is the fundamental starting point in Egypt’s foreign relations,the national interests of Egypt have different points of emphasis at different times.Additionally,Egypt still bears the mission of protecting the interests of the Arab nation.As the international background of Egypt’s foreign relations before the 1990s,the Cold War had great impact on many aspects of Egypt’s foreign relations;the United States and the Soviet Union were top priority in its foreign relations during that period of time.Under the unique political mechanism,Egyptian leaders have supreme power in foreign policy decision-making and Egypt’s foreign relations are branded with a mark of personal traits of Egyptian leaders.Despite the recent Egyptian political mutation,geography,interest and leaders are still the basic focus of external relations of Egypt,so Egyptian diplomatic pattern is unlikely to have dramatic changes.

Beijing's Foreign Economic Relations and Trade

Beijing’s foreign economic relations and trade in 1993 surpassed that of 1992, and remarkable breakthroughs were made during the last year in the utilization of foreign capital, export volume and foreign exchange earnings, and the construction of development zones, according to Mr Zhang Xuequn, the Deputy Director of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade Commission of the Beijing Municipal Government. The robust development

Beijing's Steady Growth in Foreign Economic Relations and Trade

In 1995,Beijing’s foreign economic andtrade sector continued to deepen itsrestructuring,give play to its advantagesand overcome its difficulties,and maintainedsustained development in foreign trade,theutilization of foreign investment and foreigncooperation. The year 1995 saw an import andexport volume of US＄4.23 billion,5.4 percentup from the previous year,including animport volume of US＄1.74 billion,down 8percent,exports of US＄2.49 billion,17.3percent up from the previous year,whichsurpasses the required US＄2.3 billion ofexports by the municipal government.Specialforeign trade companies and industrial andtrade companies had exports of US＄1.441billion,4.8 percent up from the previousyear,accounting for 57.9 percent of the

At the Juncture of China's Entry to WTO, An Overall Development of Foreign Economic Relations andTrade Will Be Carried out in XPCC

The Xinjiang Production andConstruction Corps (XPCC) was foundedin October 1954. Since 1990, its plan hasbeen listed directly under the state councilof PRC.After 50 years of arduouspioneering and development, the XPCChas now developed to be a specialorganization with a solid economicstrength and enterprise group superiority,which is based on the large-scale andmodernized agriculture, and guided

Tapping Advantages and Expanding International and Domestic Networks for Further Integrating Jiangxi with the Rest of the World——Thriving Foreign Related Work in Jiangxi Province

"…enable Jiangxi to become the example of ecological civilization and pacesetter of building beautiful China,and realize the dream of a prosperous,harmonious and beautiful Jiangxi through our earnest efforts."Recent years have witnessed vigorous efforts made by the Provincial Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese

Citizenship, the Nation and the Race： China and the International Opium System, 1912-1931

This article analyzes China＇s attempts to participate in and use the negotiations about reforming the international opium control system in the interwar period. China had a contentious relationship with the international opium control system from its creation in the International Opium Convention of 1912 through the League of Nations opium control system of the 1920s and 1930s. The Chinese government wanted to gain acceptance for China as a modern state no longer in need of tutelage from the international community. They also wanted to portray the Chinese people as a modern race as a way of undermining colonial opium monopolies, which made a disproportionate amount of their profits from sales to Overseas Chinese. While they were not fully successful in either of these efforts, China did manage to win some support, drawing the United States into closer agreement with China＇s positions. Engagement with the international system also had a considerable impact on China＇s domestic opium politics and its broader diplomatic relationship with the major powers.

Braving Waves and Sailing Forward with Resolve

Members of the academia, Friends, Good morning! It gives me great pleasure to join you again at the turn of the year. This year marks the 30 th anniversary of this symposium on the international situation and China’s foreign relations. Over the past three decades, the symposium has witnessed the changes in the international landscape and the extraordinary journey of Chinese diplomacy.