Lenore G. Martin
Using a paradigm of five interrelated variables
the paper examines the opportunities and challenges for security
cooperation between Turkey, a predominantly Muslim society, and China, a
society still dominated by the Communist Party. The five variables
consist of military capabilities, economic capabilities, essential
natural resources, ethnic and religious tolerance, and political
legitimacy. The paradigm demonstrates that their interests help to
promote security cooperation between Turkey and China, but also lead to
strains in their relations along every variable. Both states are
concerned about separatist groups but the Turkish public and some
politicians are supportive of the Uighurs. Trade is growing but is
unbalanced. They compete for energy sources but cooperate on development
of alternative energy. Each of the variables in turn affects the
political legitimacy of both regimes. Despite these instances of
divergence in their national interests, Turkey and China can make policy
choices that would strengthen their security relationship.
