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This article examines China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its influence on Central Asian countries, focusing on Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. It explores how the BRI has transformed regional infrastructure, trade networks and connectivity since its launch in 2013. The paper analyzes both the positive outcomes such as modernization, foreign investment and closer regional cooperation, and the challenges related to debt, dependency and environmental sustainability. Particular attention is paid to the political and economic dimensions of China’s growing presence in the region, including its impact on local governance and public perception. By using a comparative approach and drawing on various case studies, the research provides an overview of how the BRI shapes Central Asia’s development path and geopolitical orientation in the 21st century.
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