Central Asia
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Central Asia

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Afghanistan
Kazakhstan
Central Asia
Central Asia
News from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.
Taliban fighters on a street in Kabul, Afghanistan. File photo: Reuters
Taliban

Taliban urged to release elderly UK couple before they ‘die in custody’

Barbie Reynolds, 76, and husband Peter, 80, have been held for over five months without charge.

European Union

Opinion | The EU is doing itself no trade favours in pushing China on Russia

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China-Russia relations

China-Russia ties are more mature and stable than any major relationship: Wang

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100 Top Tables: Cities of Gastronomy

What makes Hatay, in southern Turkey, Unesco City of Gastronomy worthy?

A Unesco City of Gastronomy, Hatay is famed for its rich culinary heritage blending Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Anatolian flavours.

Supported by
Macau Government Tourism Office
Uzun Carsi, a traditional market district in Antakya, capital of Hatay, where many stalls sell spices and other ingredients used in regional recipes. Photo: Shutterstock
Azerbaijan

From colony to kingmaker: Azerbaijan redraws Eurasia’s balance of power

The ex-Soviet republic aims to play a bigger role in the Caucasus and is willing to upset Moscow and Tehran in the process, analysts say.

China-Middle East relations

China likely to strengthen backing for Iran as it looks to secure interests

With Iran ‘deeply tied’ to Chinese interests, analyst says it will be a balancing act for Beijing as it pursues regional stability.

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Belt and Road Initiative

China to speed up bullet-train connectivity with neighbours

High-speed railways will be a cornerstone of China’s Belt and Road, creating key transport arteries to set international railway standards.

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China’s completed overseas rail projects include the China-Laos railway (pictured). Photo: Xinhua
Pakistan

Afghanistan border ‘emergency’ as thousands deported from Iran: UN

In late May, Iran said undocumented Afghans must leave the country by July 6, potentially impacting four of the six million Afghans living in Iran.

Russia

Russia becomes first country to recognise Taliban government of Afghanistan

The Taliban government had seized power in August 2021 as US-led forces staged a chaotic withdrawal from the country after 20 years of war.

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Diplomacy

Exclusive | Armenia looks to deepen ties with China for foreign policy beyond Russia

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan says his country’s Crossroads of Peace and China’s belt and road project are interdependent.

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Armenia’s top diplomat Ararat Mirzoyan says of relations with China: “Not only is there no impediment and any obstacle on the way of deepening our relations, but also there is openness and readiness to deepen these relations without any limitations.” Photo: Handout
Kazakhstan

Opinion | Why Central Asia plays a growing role in China’s strategic calculus

Cooperation on trade, infrastructure, energy and more shows that China sees Central Asia as an important trade partner and geopolitical buffer.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) shakes hands with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev before flying back to Beijing after the completion of the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, on June 18. Photo: Xinhua
Afghanistan

Taliban, Afghanistan welcome tourism despite restrictions on women

Nearly 9,000 foreign tourists visited Afghanistan last year, while nearly 3,000 people visited in the first three months of this year.

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Pakistan

At least 1.2 million Afghans deported this year despite risks: UN

They have been forced to return from Iran and Pakistan, with both countries launching campaigns to expel foreigners living there illegally.

Malaysia

Out of the line of fire: Malaysian evacuees’ 1,000km escape to safety from Iran

A convoy of 17 Malaysians and one Singaporean endured a harrowing 24-hour overland journey across Iran to reach safety as violence escalated.

Evacuees embrace loved ones at Kuala Lumpur International Airport following their escape from conflict-hit Iran. Photo: Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs/EPA-EFE
Kazakhstan

Opinion | Why China’s Central Asian footprint is about to get bigger

Boosted by proximity and broad policy objectives, Beijing is slowly gaining the upper hand in the region over Moscow and the European Union.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, greets a crowd in Astana, Kazakhstan, after arriving to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit on June 16. Photo: Xinhua
Tajikistan

Editorial | Central Asia friendship pact bolsters stability

President Xi Jinping stresses need for cooperation at summit between China and five states amid economic and geopolitical tensions.

SCMP Highlights

China-EU friction in spotlight, Beijing’s growing clout: SCMP daily highlights

From a new mainland China-Hong Kong payment scheme to Beijing’s influence in Central Asia, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

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China airliners

China’s aerospace drive, Summer Davos and more

This week: Comac sets goal for C929 plane, PBOC outlines steps to boost use of yuan, China woos Central Asia and President Xi calls for de-escalation in the Middle East. Next week: Summer Davos in Tianjin, Nato summit, Trump’s steel tariffs to hit Chinese appliances and more.

Photo: Reuters
Diplomacy

China’s influence is growing in Central Asia. What does that mean for Russia?

Beijing focuses on development as it avoids challenging Moscow as Central Asia’s dominant power and security guarantor, analysts say.

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China manufacturing

Premier urges China’s Jiangsu to embrace ‘higher development expectations’

Province’s GDP rose 5.9 per cent year on year in first quarter, closing in on top-ranked Guangdong.

Belt and Road Initiative

Opinion | Israeli strikes one more challenge for new China-Iran rail corridor

Weeks before the air strikes, a new overland trade route was launched that could help Iran evade sanctions and advance its regional ambitions.

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People gather in Nobonyad Square, Tehran, after Israeli airstrikes on Iran on June 13. Photo: Getty Images
India

What India’s break with SCO reveals about its stance on Israel-Iran conflict

India’s opt-out of SCO censure is driven by its need to safeguard strategic and economic interests with both Israel and Iran, analysts say.

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Smoke billows from a fire in a building in Herzliya near Tel Aviv following a fresh barrage of Iranian rockets on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
China-Russia relations

China pushes regional finance bank as Russia pivots to Asia: analysts

Beijing’s bid to deepen Eurasian economic integration gains momentum as Western pressure forces Moscow to recalibrate, analysts say.

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Diplomacy

China and Central Asian leaders cap summit with friendship pact and aid pledge

Beijing commits more than a billion yuan to a region at the heart of its infrastructure and security interests.

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Israel-Iran conflict

China’s Xi urges Israel, Iran to ‘de-escalate’, says Beijing can be peacemaker

President Xi Jinping’s remarks during talks with Uzbek counterpart come as China begins to evacuate nationals from Iran and Israel.

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Smoke and fire rise from the site of a missile attack by Iran, in the Israeli city of Haifa on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Diplomacy

Xi boosts China ties in resource-rich Central Asia

A summit with five leaders from Central Asia offers President Xi Jinping the chance to snap up more raw materials for China’s economy in a region once viewed as Russia’s backyard.

Photo: Xinhua
Diplomacy

Xi Jinping heads to energy-rich Kazakhstan for China-Central Asia summit

Xi is looking to foster solidarity with his counterparts against unilateralism and protectionism.

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Diplomacy

Xi to meet Central Asian leaders as both sides seek ‘stronger coordination’

Summit in Kazakhstan expected to focus on transport, energy, security governance, digital economy and green transition, analysts say.

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