China’s growing role and the backlash in KyrgyzstanCEFR A1
20 Nov 2025
Adapted from Nurbek Bekmurzaev, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Annie Spratt, Unsplash
- China is Kyrgyzstan’s most important economic partner today.
- Their ties became a strategic partnership in 2023.
- They work together in mining, agriculture, energy and transport.
- Many protests, raids and clashes happened across the country.
- The worst violence came in October 2020 after elections.
- The government cancelled a $280 million border logistics terminal.
- People complain about pollution, leaks and harm to water.
- Authorities fined the Junda refinery in Kara-Balta for emissions.
- Rumours say nearly 100,000 Chinese workers, but about 9,000 work there.
- Polls show negative views fell from almost 50% to just over 25%.
Difficult words
- China — A country in East Asia.Chinese
- important — Having great significance or value.
- trade — The activity of buying and selling goods.
- protest — To express strong disagreement.
- influence — The power to have an effect on something.
- concern — A worry or a problem.concerns
- pollution — The presence of harmful substances.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think some people are concerned about pollution?
- What are your thoughts on foreign workers in your country?
- Why is trade significant for Kyrgyzstan?
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