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Kyrgyzstan

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Kyrgyzstan. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Bishkek

Head of State

President Sadyr Japarov

Head of Government

Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov

Chinese workers are seen in a tunnel in Kyrgyzstan, on February 13, part of the 523km China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway currently under construction. Photo: Xinhua

China economy

Opinion | China is growing its export channels with railways through Central Asia

Beijing is seeking to diversify its export channels as geopolitical tensions destabilise maritime trade hubs.

22 Jul 2026 - 9:13AMvideocam

Central Asia

Opinion | In today’s ‘great game’, Central Asian nations are no longer prizes to be won

2 Jul 2026 - 6:38AM

Diplomacy

Outside In | Central Asia is finally coming into its own

13 Jun 2026 - 6:50AM

The Philippines

Philippines’ UN defeat: a result of domestic ‘political circus’, close ties with US?

Kyrgyzstan won a seat on the UN Security Council due to perceptions of its neutrality and Central Asia’s under-representation, analysts say.

5 Jun 2026 - 8:21PM

Philippine police crowd control personnel block pro-Vice-President Sara Duterte protesters outside the Senate of the Philippines, in Manila last month. Photo: AP

China-Russia relations

Chinese military team inspects Russia bases as Putin hails ‘natural allies’

Two-day inspection trip this week was part of routine verification exercise under 1996 and 1997 border agreements, Tass reports.

5 Jun 2026 - 6:59PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Direct flights between Hong Kong and Uzbekistan to launch this year, sources say

Direct flights between Hong Kong and Tashkent to start as talks begin on reciprocal 30-day visa-free stay agreement to boost trade, tourism and regional ties.

4 Jun 2026 - 7:38PM

United Nations

Portugal and Austria defeat Germany for seats on UN Security Council

Kyrgyzstan beat the Philippines by a vote of 143-49 to join the council for the first time.

4 Jun 2026 - 2:39PM

The Austrian delegation celebrate their result. Photo: dpa

US, Israel war on Iran

Why the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation isn’t Nato for Iran

Central Asian members in particular see bloc’s main value as preserving their sovereignty rather than enabling collective military action.

30 May 2026 - 8:08AMvideocam

China trade

China-led SCO bloc looks to fast-track plan for new bank, rival Western lenders

Member states seek more financial autonomy and localised credit by advancing an effort to fund regional growth using their national currencies, not the US dollar.

29 May 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | GDP uptick signals Hong Kong’s economy is on the right path

The city is betting on diversification – fully integrating with the mainland economy while expanding trade and business ties with others.

9 May 2026 - 6:45AM

A Star Ferry crosses Victoria Harbour in front of the Hong Kong skyline. The city posted its fastest quarterly economic growth in nearly five years. Photo: Reuters

China travel

China’s record travel volume meets cautious spending in May Day holiday surge

Thousands of domestic train services added on last day of ‘golden week’ to meet record demand, and high energy costs affect consumer spending.

7 May 2026 - 4:03PMvideocam

Dozens of yachts are seen in waters off the coast of China’s Hainan province on Sunday, during a five-day national holiday. Photo: Xinhua

China travel

Chinese travellers flock to Central Asia as flight bookings soar by 120%

Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative behind stronger economic ties and passenger traffic growth between the two regions, say industry experts.

26 Apr 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

Central Asia

Opinion | Why China is looking to Central Asia as Middle East grows riskier

The region’s strategic value as a corridor of resilience is becoming harder to ignore.

12 Apr 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Central Asia

Afghanistan wants US$10 billion in trade deals with Central Asia

Central Asia’s typical trade routes through Russia are hampered by heavy sanctions, while the Taliban is trying to trade with the world despite international sanctions.

5 Apr 2026 - 9:26PM

Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi (centre, back), along with representatives from Central Asian states, takes part in the Afghanistan-Central Asia Consultative Dialogue at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Kabul on Sunday. Photo: AFP

The Philippines

Philippines’ bid for UN Security Council seat sidesteps maritime row

As a potential council member, the Philippines is expected to address broader global security issues and be a ‘responsible middle power’.

13 Mar 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Members of the UN Security Council listen as Gholamhossein Darzi, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, speaks at the UN headquarters on January 15. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Food and Drinks

Why horse meat and nomadic tea rituals anchor this new eatery in Central

For the Kazakh founders of Yurt, opening the new Central Asian restaurant was written in the stars.

10 Mar 2026 - 11:00AM

China airliners

China’s C909 jet gets international uplift with funding for adoptive airline

Chengdu Airlines, an affiliate of C909 manufacturer Comac, has received a capital injection to help widen the jet’s international coverage.

23 Feb 2026 - 11:00AM

China-Russia relations

As Central Asia builds ‘smart cities’ with China, is it moving away from Russia?

Lack of Russian involvement in the mega-projects is seen as part of a broader structural shift as the region moves ‘closer to the world’.

11 Feb 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Infrastructure

China plans 19% high-speed rail expansion by 2030 amid global dominance

Beijing aims to expand the nation’s entire rail network to about 180,000km as part of 2026-2030 infrastructure push, boosting connectivity nationwide.

5 Jan 2026 - 5:32PMvideocam

Japan

Steppe in the right direction? ‘Japan is back’ in Central Asia with new summit

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the leaders of five Central Asian nations are expected to establish a new framework for cooperation in AI.

18 Dec 2025 - 5:41PMvideocam

US-China relations

Opinion | As US and China turn their eyes to Central Asia, Russia loses out

The region that has traditionally been in Russia’s geopolitical orbit is turning into a new arena of competition between the US and China.

18 Nov 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump hosts Central Asian leaders as US eyes sources for critical minerals

The C5+1 summit marks Washington’s effort to expand influence in a resource-rich region long dominated by Russia and increasingly courted by China.

7 Nov 2025 - 1:44PMvideocam

President Donald Trump hosting leaders of five Central Asian countries at the White House. Photo: EPA

Diplomacy

Opinion | Focusing on pageantry, the West misses the point of China’s diplomacy

The West must realise the real contest is not about pageantry but which power can create space for others to feel secure, dignified, heard.

19 Sep 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Central Asia

Opinion | In race for Central Asia’s rare earths, China is leaving US in the dust

Washington’s overtures to the region may only go so far – geographical proximity and capacity for critical mineral processing are advantages the US does not enjoy.

14 Sep 2025 - 4:30PMvideocam

SCO

Xi’s diplomatic blitz casts new light on China’s foreign policy

Chinese president’s meetings this week with several key leaders highlight Beijing’s shifting overseas priorities.

4 Sep 2025 - 5:23PMvideocam

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin this week. Erdogan was one of several leaders Xi met during bilateral talks over the week. Photo: Handout/Turkish Presidential Service/ AFP

SCO

Foreign leaders ride the rapid rails of China’s tech prowess after SCO summit

Blazing from Tianjin to Beijing on China’s signature high-speed railway, several state leaders are given a glimpse of rapid and lucrative modernisation efforts.

5 Sep 2025 - 11:35AMvideocam

Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli arrives in Beijing on Tuesday. He is among more than a dozen state leaders who took a high-speed train to Beijing this week to attend Wednesday’s Victory Day parade. Photo: Xinhua

SCO

SCO summit 2025: showcase of how far bloc has come in nearly a quarter century

Starting with six, group now unites 26 nations across Asia, Europe and Africa on not just security challenges but trade, diplomacy and more.

2 Sep 2025 - 3:40PMvideocam

Diplomacy

SCO has a 10-year plan for a multipolar world, China’s Wang Yi says

SCO Development Strategy until 2035 has ‘set the tone and a clear direction’ for the decade to come, top Chinese diplomat tells reporters.

2 Sep 2025 - 2:33AMvideocam

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Kyrgyzstan

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | China is growing its export channels with railways through Central Asia

Beijing is seeking to diversify its export channels as geopolitical tensions destabilise maritime trade hubs.

Opinion | In today’s ‘great game’, Central Asian nations are no longer prizes to be won

Outside In | Central Asia is finally coming into its own

Philippines’ UN defeat: a result of domestic ‘political circus’, close ties with US?

Kyrgyzstan won a seat on the UN Security Council due to perceptions of its neutrality and Central Asia’s under-representation, analysts say.

Chinese military team inspects Russia bases as Putin hails ‘natural allies’

Two-day inspection trip this week was part of routine verification exercise under 1996 and 1997 border agreements, Tass reports.

Direct flights between Hong Kong and Uzbekistan to launch this year, sources say

Direct flights between Hong Kong and Tashkent to start as talks begin on reciprocal 30-day visa-free stay agreement to boost trade, tourism and regional ties.

Portugal and Austria defeat Germany for seats on UN Security Council

Kyrgyzstan beat the Philippines by a vote of 143-49 to join the council for the first time.

Why the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation isn’t Nato for Iran

Central Asian members in particular see bloc’s main value as preserving their sovereignty rather than enabling collective military action.

China-led SCO bloc looks to fast-track plan for new bank, rival Western lenders

Member states seek more financial autonomy and localised credit by advancing an effort to fund regional growth using their national currencies, not the US dollar.

Editorial | GDP uptick signals Hong Kong’s economy is on the right path

The city is betting on diversification – fully integrating with the mainland economy while expanding trade and business ties with others.

China’s record travel volume meets cautious spending in May Day holiday surge

Thousands of domestic train services added on last day of ‘golden week’ to meet record demand, and high energy costs affect consumer spending.

Chinese travellers flock to Central Asia as flight bookings soar by 120%

Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative behind stronger economic ties and passenger traffic growth between the two regions, say industry experts.

Opinion | Why China is looking to Central Asia as Middle East grows riskier

The region’s strategic value as a corridor of resilience is becoming harder to ignore.

Afghanistan wants US$10 billion in trade deals with Central Asia

Central Asia’s typical trade routes through Russia are hampered by heavy sanctions, while the Taliban is trying to trade with the world despite international sanctions.

Philippines’ bid for UN Security Council seat sidesteps maritime row

As a potential council member, the Philippines is expected to address broader global security issues and be a ‘responsible middle power’.

Why horse meat and nomadic tea rituals anchor this new eatery in Central

For the Kazakh founders of Yurt, opening the new Central Asian restaurant was written in the stars.

China’s C909 jet gets international uplift with funding for adoptive airline

Chengdu Airlines, an affiliate of C909 manufacturer Comac, has received a capital injection to help widen the jet’s international coverage.

As Central Asia builds ‘smart cities’ with China, is it moving away from Russia?

Lack of Russian involvement in the mega-projects is seen as part of a broader structural shift as the region moves ‘closer to the world’.

China plans 19% high-speed rail expansion by 2030 amid global dominance

Beijing aims to expand the nation’s entire rail network to about 180,000km as part of 2026-2030 infrastructure push, boosting connectivity nationwide.

Steppe in the right direction? ‘Japan is back’ in Central Asia with new summit

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the leaders of five Central Asian nations are expected to establish a new framework for cooperation in AI.

Opinion | As US and China turn their eyes to Central Asia, Russia loses out

The region that has traditionally been in Russia’s geopolitical orbit is turning into a new arena of competition between the US and China.

Trump hosts Central Asian leaders as US eyes sources for critical minerals

The C5+1 summit marks Washington’s effort to expand influence in a resource-rich region long dominated by Russia and increasingly courted by China.

Opinion | Focusing on pageantry, the West misses the point of China’s diplomacy

The West must realise the real contest is not about pageantry but which power can create space for others to feel secure, dignified, heard.

Opinion | In race for Central Asia’s rare earths, China is leaving US in the dust

Washington’s overtures to the region may only go so far – geographical proximity and capacity for critical mineral processing are advantages the US does not enjoy.

Xi’s diplomatic blitz casts new light on China’s foreign policy

Chinese president’s meetings this week with several key leaders highlight Beijing’s shifting overseas priorities.

Foreign leaders ride the rapid rails of China’s tech prowess after SCO summit

Blazing from Tianjin to Beijing on China’s signature high-speed railway, several state leaders are given a glimpse of rapid and lucrative modernisation efforts.

SCO summit 2025: showcase of how far bloc has come in nearly a quarter century

Starting with six, group now unites 26 nations across Asia, Europe and Africa on not just security challenges but trade, diplomacy and more.

SCO has a 10-year plan for a multipolar world, China’s Wang Yi says

SCO Development Strategy until 2035 has ‘set the tone and a clear direction’ for the decade to come, top Chinese diplomat tells reporters.

Opinion | China is growing its export channels with railways through Central Asia