For Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, China is an important investor and possible regional stabilizer.

The opportunity is there, but will Western Europe seize it?

Across the Caspian, in the Caucasus, Russia's energy and geopolitical objectives collide.

China looks set to become a genuine player in Georgia and the South Caucasus.

Georgia has adopted Western models of economics and politics, but its trade has benefited from looking East.

Moscow is turning to financially vulnerable South Pacific nations to promote its foreign policy agenda thousands of miles away.