The study notes that Central Asian leaders initially played down the effects of the Russian crisis on their own economies. But if the Russian crisis continues, the effects on the Central Asian economies may be much more significant. She says that Central Asian leaders are reaching outwards, stressing they will strike deals with whomever offers the best commercial conditions. Uzbekistan, with the largest population in Central Asia, also has pressed ahead with a drive to seek Western investment. It is no longer reliant on Russian energy imports, having laid 1,000 kilometers of fuel pipelines a year and sharply cut domestic consumption.
China is a growing market for Central Asia, especially for Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
China has also risen to second place in its share of overall Kazakh exports, chiefly raw materials and technical equipment. This project forms part of a larger Eurasian transport and energy corridor made up of interlocking ferries, pipelines and communications systems. The Central Asian states have stepped up cooperation among themselves as well. Russia has observer status. The objective of the CAU is to create a common political, economic, and cultural space through regional integration.