China Likely to Use Georgia War to Justify Crackdowns

The Chinese government will likely seize upon the Georgia conflict to justify crackdowns on its own separatists in Tibet and Xinjiang, according to a Bloomberg analysis. Chinese officials view the Georgia conflict "as the result of Russia's inability to control the country," and they don't want to make the same mistake, said one analyst.

The resurgence of Russian power will worry China, but the country stands to gain from less restive regions as well as a reduction of American influence in Central Asia. "In the big game, if there is resistance against the US and their allies, it's good news for China," said another observer. "That means more maneuvering room in their role with the US." (More Xinjiang stories.)