Search | Eurasianet

Pan Yue (right), the head of China’s State Committee for Nationalities Affairs, and Aida Balayeva, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Culture, hold copies of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between their agencies signed on September 18. (Photo: gov.kz)

Xinjiang crackdown downplayed during Chinese nationalities rep’s visit to Kazakhstan

An update on recent developments in Chinese-Central Asian affairs.

China-Central Asia Monitor Sep 22, 2023

Gas-processing facility at Turkmenistan's Bagaja field (Turkmengaz.gov.tm)

Interest surges in Turkmen gas

Ashgabat's announcement that it is open to developing a Trans-Caspian gas pipeline has sparked strong interest from potential importers.

David O'Byrne Sep 18, 2023

Bearing gifts: The Governor of St. Petersburg, Alexander Beglov, presenting a copy of a history textbook to the principal of the A.S. Pushkin Russian-Turkmen school in Ashgabat, Irina Kuminova. (Photo: Saint Petersburg City Administration)

Turkmenistan: Playing it by the textbook

Ashgabat is trying to be pals with Western economic partners, but its Russian sympathies are showing. This and more in this week's Akhal-Teke Bulletin.

Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Sep 12, 2023

Few see the sense of turning up to soccer matches in Turkmenistan these days. (Photo: Turkmenistan football federation)

Turkmenistan: Union busting

Unfair soccer league, and potential and real gas deals aplenty, with Hungary, Iraq and Uzbekistan.

Aug 29, 2023

The Red Bridge checkpoint on the Georgian-Azerbaijani border (Georgian Public TV website)

Georgian Azerbaijanis ask Azerbaijan's president to open border

Azerbaijan has kept its land borders shut ever since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Heydar Isayev Aug 24, 2023

As part of a crackdown on gig workers, authorities revoked the license for Wolt, a global food delivery company many couriers worked for. (Photo: Mussi Katz, public domain)

Azerbaijan: Authorities smash unionization efforts for gig workers

Three labor rights activists are in custody, and the country’s largest food-delivery service loses its license.

Aug 15, 2023

Chinese workers in Xinjiang inspect a pipeline arriving from Central Asia. Currently, a lion’s share of Turkmen natural gas exports are pumped to China, but Ashgabat intends to diversify. (Photo: China Daily)

Turkmenistan signals major change in energy-export stance

Ashgabat’s shifting position opens the way for expansion of natural gas supplies to Europe.

David O'Byrne Aug 15, 2023

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov (center right) and China’s ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Du Dewen, speak during a recent tour of the Sary-Jaz River where Kyrgyzstan is aiming to build a hydropower project with Chinese assistance. (Photo: gov.kg)

Central Asia: Low water levels on Irtysh River create quandary for Kazakhstan

An update on recent developments in Chinese-Russian-Central Asian affairs.

China-Central Asia Monitor Aug 11, 2023

Labor migrants are arriving in Russia in greater numbers since the start to the war in Ukraine. (Photo: Government media website)

Russia: Debts causing rise in illegal migration among Central Asians

Microfinance institutions are making matters worse by offering people in debt even more onerous loans.

Aug 5, 2023

Chief military prosecutors of China and Uzbekistan meet in Beijing in late July. (Photo: gov.uz)

Central Asia: China strives to shape Belt and Road-related media coverage

An update on recent developments in Chinese-Russian-Central Asian affairs.

China-Central Asia Monitor Aug 4, 2023

The Upper Lars crossing on the Georgian-Russian border (Facebook; Georgian Ministry of Finance)

Georgia bans re-export of Western-imported cars to Russia, Belarus

The move is supposed to help implement Western sanctions against Russia, but gaping loopholes will likely remain.

Nini Gabritchidze Aug 3, 2023

Turkmens get given computers from a young age. But is there any point. (Photo: Turkmenistan government website)

Turkmenistan: Net loss

Internet blockages not about censorship but money, regional trade dialogue, and more in this week's Akhal-Teke Bulletin.

Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Aug 1, 2023

An Uzbek delegation tours a JAC Motors plant during a mid-July visit to China. (Photo: qashqadaryo.uz)

China exploring biotech, scientific and manufacturing possibilities in Central Asia

Our weekly update on recent developments in Chinese-Russian-Central Asian affairs.

China-Central Asia Monitor Jul 27, 2023

President Berdymukhamedov in a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on July 19. (Photo: Turkmenistan government handout)

Turkmenistan: Watched over by CCTVs of loving grace

Europe's elusive pipeline, Gulf investment, Korean lobbying and a new ghost town.

Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Jul 25, 2023

Chinese Culture Minister Hu Heping meets with Kyrgyzstan’s ambassador to the PRC, Aktilek Musayeva, July 11. (Photo: mfa.gov.kg)

China looks to expand soft-power presence in Central Asia