Which of the following statements in incorrect about the Central Asian Republics?

The region is next to Russia, China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and close to East Asia.

The correct answer is Option  2 - The region is next to Russia, China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and close to East Asia.

Given options:

Option 1- The Central Asian Republics are areas with vast hydrocarbon resources, which have brought them economic benefit.
Option 2- The region is next to Russia, China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and close to East Asia. (INCORRECT)
Option 3- Russia perceives these states as its ‘Near Abroad’ and believes that they should be under Russian influence
Option 4- China has interests here because of the oil resources, and the Chinese have begun to settle around the borders and conduct trade.

The Central Asian Republics are areas with vast hydrocarbon resources, which have brought them economic benefit. Central Asia has also become a zone of competition between outside powers and oil companies. The region is next to Russia, China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and close to West Asia. After 11 September 2001, the US wanted military bases in the region and paid the governments of all Central Asian states to hire bases and to allow airplanes to fly over their territory during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, Russia perceives these states as its ‘Near Abroad’ and believes that they should be under Russian influence. China has interests here because of the oil resources, and the Chinese have begun to settle around the borders and conduct trade.