China’s growing role and the backlash in Kyrgyzstan ^{CEFR A2}

China is now the main creditor, largest investor and biggest trading partner of Kyrgyzstan. In 2023 the two countries upgraded relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership and they cooperate in mining, agriculture, energy and transport.

Backlash has taken many forms: protests, violent clashes, raids on businesses and campaigns against so-called "illegal" migrants. Researchers note that over two-thirds of region-wide protests from 2018 to 2021 that targeted foreign actors focused on China. The most intense violence was in October 2020, and in 2020 the government cancelled a $280 million logistics terminal after local protests. Environmental complaints include fines at the Junda refinery in Kara-Balta and livestock deaths near the Solton-Sary gold mine run by Zhong Ji.

Many people fear migration and loss of land. China holds over one-third of Kyrgyzstan’s foreign debt. The government tightened controls after 2020, and protests in central Bishkek have been banned since March 2022. China also increased security assistance and opened skills programmes such as the Bishkek Luban Workshop in 2024.