Many western analysts have described the post-Soviet tussle for Caspain and Central Asian energy reserves as the new “Great Game”, except this time around, Russia is facing the U.S. rather than the British empire. To a dispassionate outside observer however, what is most striking about the prolonged wrangle between Moscow and Washington for hydrocarbons, military bases and influence is the emergence of an understated sly newcomer who has managed to bag many of the region’s assets – China.