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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

President Xi Jinping and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi wave to the crowd after Xi’s arrival at Cairo International Airport on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

China trade

What Xi’s tour of Egypt and Central Asia reveals about China’s trade strategy

Presidential tour highlights strategy of shifting manufacturing abroad, shielding domestic exporters from growing global barriers.

3 Sep 2026 - 1:04PMvideocam

SCO

SCO takes landmark stand on nuclear security as Iran comes under renewed attack

3 Sep 2026 - 10:09AMvideocam

Singapore

Can Singapore be the ‘natural choice’ to bridge Asean and Central Asia?

3 Sep 2026 - 2:36AM

Central Asia

In Bishkek, US envoys shadow SCO summit in challenge on Beijing and Moscow’s turf

Central Asian countries in focus as Washington pursues outreach serving to blunt Chinese influence in strategically valuable region.

2 Sep 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Sergio Gor, the US special envoy for South and Central Asia (left), and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov shake hands for their meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday. Photo: Kyrgyzstan Presidential Press Office via AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran wins SCO backing against US strikes. Will it be enough?

Despite strong rhetoric out of Bishkek, support from groupings like the SCO and Brics may be more symbolic than substantial, analysts say.

2 Sep 2026 - 9:33PMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

Xi makes world tour ahead of White House summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping is meeting leaders from across the Global South ahead of a probable summit with US leader Donald Trump.

2 Sep 2026 - 5:24PM

SCO

Opinion | 25 years on, the SCO’s pragmatic strategy is working better than ever

The SCO’s significance is practical: it gives those who do not want their future defined in Washington a forum to coordinate and hedge.

2 Sep 2026 - 5:26PMvideocam

Heads of state attend a session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on September 1. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Xi, Trump and Putin may hold trilateral meeting at next Apec forum, Kremlin says

Senior Russian aide confirms possibility of all three leaders meeting in Shenzhen in November ‘was discussed’ at this week’s SCO summit.

2 Sep 2026 - 10:22AMvideocam

Belt and Road Initiative

How China’s rail diplomacy could shield regional supply chains from shocks

China’s Kyrgyzstan rail pledge highlights wider drive to knit Asia together and strengthen trade links.

1 Sep 2026 - 5:00PM

Xi Jinping

Xi Jinping calls on SCO members to team up for bigger global tech-security role

The world is at a crossroads and the group should shoulder its responsibility, Chinese president says at Bishkek summit.

1 Sep 2026 - 7:21PM

SCO leaders attend the annual summit in Bishkek on Tuesday. Photo: EPA/Kremlin pool

India

‘Aloof’ but engaged: what India’s SCO comeback reveals

New Delhi’s re-engagement with the China-led bloc serves as a reminder to the US that it has other options, analysts say.

1 Sep 2026 - 3:19PM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi disembarks from an aircraft upon his arrival in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Sunday. Photo: Kyrgyzstan’s Presidential Press Office / AP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker, August 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping has met 31 national leaders this year and may meet Trump during a busy September.

1 Sep 2026 - 11:27AM

SCO

Xi, Putin vow to deepen strategic ties after meeting at SCO summit

Xi said relevant departments from both sides are implementing initiatives he and Putin discussed during Putin’s state visit to China in May.

1 Sep 2026 - 1:50AMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Xi’s Cairo trip marks ‘best ties in history’ as Egypt seeks to balance West

Chinese president’s visit comes amid expanding Suez investment and joint air force exercises.

31 Aug 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping will once again meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi when he arrives in Cairo this week following his trip to Kyrgyzstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Photo: Xinhua

SCO

What to expect as China’s Xi Jinping attends SCO summit in Bishkek

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s 25th anniversary summit expected to offer clues to China’s ambitions for a more multipolar Asia, analysts say.

31 Aug 2026 - 2:57PMvideocam

Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov (right) welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping to the capital Bishkek ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Photo: AFP

China-Russia relations

Xi, Putin to meet in Bishkek for Power of Siberia 2 talks: Kremlin

Second face-to-face talks this year to come as leaders of China and Russia visit Kyrgyzstan for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.

29 Aug 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

China-India relations

Before Xi’s India visit, China and India confirm 8 steps to ease border tensions

Sources and experts caution against overplaying expectations, saying offers on the table fall well short of a breakthrough or grand bargain.

27 Aug 2026 - 12:31AMvideocam

China trade

China’s Central Asia push

China has become Central Asia’s top trading partner, with two-way trade surpassing US$100 billion last year on the back of increased oil and gas imports.

17 Aug 2026 - 9:44AM

SCO

Opinion | The SCO is caught between regional weight and global ambitions

As the SCO marks its 25th anniversary, internal rifts as well as limited financial integration and security cooperation are holding it back.

11 Aug 2026 - 10:29AMvideocam

Central Asia

China tests Central Asian land corridors to bypass maritime chokepoints

New Afghanistan link via Uzbekistan highlights diversification push, but critics ask if Taliban can ensure security for stable logistics.

25 Jul 2026 - 7:14AMvideocam

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

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

Central Asia

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

Instead of being caught between great powers, the five Central Asian nations are using hegemonic rivalries to advance their own interests.

2 Jul 2026 - 6:38AM

People walk past the Nur-Astana Mosque, the third largest mosque in Central Asia, in Astana, Kazakhstan, on May 25. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Outside In | Central Asia is finally coming into its own

The region’s five countries, inadvertent beneficiaries of Chinese infrastructure investment, then wars and tariffs elsewhere, are finding their feet.

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

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

A PLA inspection team pays its respects at a memorial site during a visit to several facilities in Russia’s Eastern Military District this week. Photo: Tass

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

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee alongside Uzbekistan’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Bakhtiyor Saidov. Photo: Handout

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

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

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Kyrgyzstan

What Xi’s tour of Egypt and Central Asia reveals about China’s trade strategy

Presidential tour highlights strategy of shifting manufacturing abroad, shielding domestic exporters from growing global barriers.

SCO takes landmark stand on nuclear security as Iran comes under renewed attack

Can Singapore be the ‘natural choice’ to bridge Asean and Central Asia?

In Bishkek, US envoys shadow SCO summit in challenge on Beijing and Moscow’s turf

Central Asian countries in focus as Washington pursues outreach serving to blunt Chinese influence in strategically valuable region.

Iran wins SCO backing against US strikes. Will it be enough?

Despite strong rhetoric out of Bishkek, support from groupings like the SCO and Brics may be more symbolic than substantial, analysts say.

Xi makes world tour ahead of White House summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping is meeting leaders from across the Global South ahead of a probable summit with US leader Donald Trump.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | 25 years on, the SCO’s pragmatic strategy is working better than ever

The SCO’s significance is practical: it gives those who do not want their future defined in Washington a forum to coordinate and hedge.

Xi, Trump and Putin may hold trilateral meeting at next Apec forum, Kremlin says

Senior Russian aide confirms possibility of all three leaders meeting in Shenzhen in November ‘was discussed’ at this week’s SCO summit.

How China’s rail diplomacy could shield regional supply chains from shocks

China’s Kyrgyzstan rail pledge highlights wider drive to knit Asia together and strengthen trade links.

Xi Jinping calls on SCO members to team up for bigger global tech-security role

The world is at a crossroads and the group should shoulder its responsibility, Chinese president says at Bishkek summit.

‘Aloof’ but engaged: what India’s SCO comeback reveals

New Delhi’s re-engagement with the China-led bloc serves as a reminder to the US that it has other options, analysts say.

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker, August 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping has met 31 national leaders this year and may meet Trump during a busy September.

Xi, Putin vow to deepen strategic ties after meeting at SCO summit

Xi said relevant departments from both sides are implementing initiatives he and Putin discussed during Putin’s state visit to China in May.

Xi’s Cairo trip marks ‘best ties in history’ as Egypt seeks to balance West

Chinese president’s visit comes amid expanding Suez investment and joint air force exercises.

What to expect as China’s Xi Jinping attends SCO summit in Bishkek

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s 25th anniversary summit expected to offer clues to China’s ambitions for a more multipolar Asia, analysts say.

Xi, Putin to meet in Bishkek for Power of Siberia 2 talks: Kremlin

Second face-to-face talks this year to come as leaders of China and Russia visit Kyrgyzstan for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.

Before Xi’s India visit, China and India confirm 8 steps to ease border tensions

Sources and experts caution against overplaying expectations, saying offers on the table fall well short of a breakthrough or grand bargain.

China’s Central Asia push

China has become Central Asia’s top trading partner, with two-way trade surpassing US$100 billion last year on the back of increased oil and gas imports.

Opinion | The SCO is caught between regional weight and global ambitions

As the SCO marks its 25th anniversary, internal rifts as well as limited financial integration and security cooperation are holding it back.

China tests Central Asian land corridors to bypass maritime chokepoints

New Afghanistan link via Uzbekistan highlights diversification push, but critics ask if Taliban can ensure security for stable logistics.

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

Instead of being caught between great powers, the five Central Asian nations are using hegemonic rivalries to advance their own interests.

Outside In | Central Asia is finally coming into its own

The region’s five countries, inadvertent beneficiaries of Chinese infrastructure investment, then wars and tariffs elsewhere, are finding their feet.

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.

Opinion | 25 years on, the SCO’s pragmatic strategy is working better than ever