TOPIC

/ location

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

2026 Xi-Trump summits

In Focus | Analysts tip a stronger hand for China ahead of Xi-Trump summit in Washington

Chinese confidence could be boosted by US push to make progress on its war on Iran and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, experts say.

22 Sep 2026 - 9:15AMvideocam

Brics

Editorial | Brics summit could emerge as milestone in bloc’s unity

12 Sep 2026 - 7:15AM

Belt and Road 2026

Bypassing Russia: inside China’s most audacious railway project in Central Asia

9 Sep 2026 - 6:00AM

Central Asia

China rallies Central Asian police chiefs on terrorism threats, energy and trade

Security ministers from five nations back Beijing initiative targeting extremism, border order and telecoms fraud.

8 Sep 2026 - 4:20PMvideocam

Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong (third from right) attends the China-Central Asia ministerial conference on public security and internal affairs in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong emerges as leading Asian study destination for Kazakhstani students

Hong Kong universities attracting growing number of students from Central Asian country, with enrolment up by 408 per cent in eight years.

8 Sep 2026 - 6:33PM

US-China relations

Editorial | China’s Xi sends a strong message before his US visit

Xi’s month of travel signals that China is playing a key role in South-South cooperation amid a tariff war and geopolitical instability.

8 Sep 2026 - 7:15AM

US-China relations

As clock counts down to Trump summit, Xi boosts global clout with diplomatic blitz

Beijing leverages Eurasian and Middle East ties to show Washington it has alternatives.

8 Sep 2026 - 1:25AMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, wave as they board a plane at the end of their visit to Cairo, Egypt on Wednesday, September 2. Photo: Egyptian Presidential Press Office via AP

Belt and Road Initiative

China marks major tunnel milestone for Central Asia railway bypassing Russia

Conceived in 1997, the 500km China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway will offer the shortest land route from China to the Middle East and Europe.

7 Sep 2026 - 8:00AM

China-India relations

Opinion | China and India have an opening to build a durable relationship

India has no interest in endless confrontation, and Beijing has every reason to prefer a predictable India to another unresolved front.

4 Sep 2026 - 5:25PM

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

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

SCO

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

The bloc underscores members’ rights to peaceful nuclear development in broader pushback at Western powers, analyst says.

3 Sep 2026 - 10:09AMvideocam

The SCO has released its first dedicated declaration on nuclear safety and security. Photo: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP

Singapore

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

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong says Singapore aims to explore ways to boost cooperation between both regions in various sectors.

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

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

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

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

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation leaders at a summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Photo: Reuters/Pool

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

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

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

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

China’s President Xi Jinping and Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov. Photo: AFP

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

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday. Photo: Xinhua via AP

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

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

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

Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin will join their Central Asian counterparts as well as the leaders of India, Pakistan, Iran and Belarus in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for the August 31-September 1 SCO summit. Photo: via Reuters

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

Indian and Chinese troops exchange greetings along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh on the occasion of the Indian festival of Diwali in October 2024, four years after a deadly border clash. Photo: AFP

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

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Kyrgyzstan

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}In Focus | Analysts tip a stronger hand for China ahead of Xi-Trump summit in Washington

Chinese confidence could be boosted by US push to make progress on its war on Iran and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, experts say.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Brics summit could emerge as milestone in bloc’s unity

Bypassing Russia: inside China’s most audacious railway project in Central Asia

China rallies Central Asian police chiefs on terrorism threats, energy and trade

Security ministers from five nations back Beijing initiative targeting extremism, border order and telecoms fraud.

Hong Kong emerges as leading Asian study destination for Kazakhstani students

Hong Kong universities attracting growing number of students from Central Asian country, with enrolment up by 408 per cent in eight years.

Editorial | China’s Xi sends a strong message before his US visit

Xi’s month of travel signals that China is playing a key role in South-South cooperation amid a tariff war and geopolitical instability.

As clock counts down to Trump summit, Xi boosts global clout with diplomatic blitz

Beijing leverages Eurasian and Middle East ties to show Washington it has alternatives.

China marks major tunnel milestone for Central Asia railway bypassing Russia

Conceived in 1997, the 500km China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway will offer the shortest land route from China to the Middle East and Europe.

Opinion | China and India have an opening to build a durable relationship

India has no interest in endless confrontation, and Beijing has every reason to prefer a predictable India to another unresolved front.

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

The bloc underscores members’ rights to peaceful nuclear development in broader pushback at Western powers, analyst says.

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

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong says Singapore aims to explore ways to boost cooperation between both regions in various sectors.

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.

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.

In Focus | Analysts tip a stronger hand for China ahead of Xi-Trump summit in Washington

Editorial | Brics summit could emerge as milestone in bloc’s unity