Escaping Russia’s web: Central Asia is caught between Chinese networks and US tech curbs
Days after three Russian data centres were hit by Ukrainian drone attacks last month – paralysing taxi, delivery and payment apps across Central Asia – Tajikistan launched an internet link between its capital Dushanbe and Beijing. The optical fibre, which runs through the Pamir Mountains, offers a direct link to Hong Kong – one of the largest internet traffic exchange points in the Asia-Pacific –…
Central Asia has found itself caught between Chinese networks and US tech curbs following attacks on Russian data centres by Ukrainian drones last month. The attacks crippled taxi, delivery, and payment apps across the region. In response, Tajikistan has launched an internet link between its capital Dushanbe and Beijing, marking its fifth international communication access point.
Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have also forged an alternative route via a 380km undersea cable across the Caspian Sea. While Central Asia aims to avoid Russian vulnerabilities, observers argue that it may not deliver true digital autonomy and could become a frontier for geopolitical rivalry between China and the US. The region's digital sovereignty has been constrained by geography, with Kazakhstan relying heavily on Russian networks.
Analysts suggest that diversification is needed, but the emergence of multiple dependencies between Russia and China could pose challenges. China's advantages include readily available equipment, accessible loans, and the ability to rapidly build projects in remote regions. However, concerns over data leverage and China's control over natural resources in the region raise questions about the benefits of increasing dependence on Chinese infrastructure.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
