Chinese Media Monitoring

Central Asia in Chinese Media is a project focused on the Chinese media and how they deliver the news and events concerning Central Asia to their domestic audience. This monitoring project offers a weekly bulletin of the most notable topics discussed by the Chinese media covering Central Asian domestic and regional politics, economy, and security, as well as the BRI-related projects and activities in the region.

Political transition in Kazakhstan; China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway works resume; Growing economic ties between Xinjiang and Central Asian States; Lunar New Year celebrated in Central Asia; Kazakhstan to host SCO Summit. /11.02.2024

_{Chinese Embassy in Astana Hosts a Lunar New Year Gala. Source: DKNews}

This past week, Chinese media paid attention to Kazakhstan’s change of government as well as the cultural importance of China’s relations with Central Asia in view of the New Lunar Year celebrations in the region. Additionally, updates about the BRI such as the resumption of works on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway and the growth in economic ties between Xinjiang and Central Asia were highlighted. Diplomacy-wise, Kazakhstan's upcoming chairmanship of the International Conference on Nuclear Safety and hosting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit attracted media coverage.

: 12 February 2024

Chinese VP meets Tajik National Assembly Chairman; Investment and Tourism Potential of Uzbekistan presented in Hong Kong; Xinjiang-Central Asia Media Exchange Seminar held in Urumqi; Kazakhstan’s Referendum on Nuclear Plant Construction. /07.09.23

_{Speaker at the China’s Xinjiang-Central Asia Media Exchange Seminar in Urumqi. Source: CNS, via Belt & Road Portal}

This past week, the Chinese media reported on official meeting between the Chinese Vice President and Tajik National Assembly chairman, a presentation on the investment and tourism potential of Uzbekistan held in Hong Kong, the Xinjiang-Central Asia Media Exchange Seminar held in Urumqi, and Kazakhstan's announcement to hold a referendum on the construction of its first-ever nuclear plant.

: 07 September 2023

Chinese Language & Culture Center opens in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan; China International Import Expo (CIIE) to host Kazakhstani enterprises; Chinese Rep calls on the international community to maintain dialogue and engagement with the Taliban. /24.06.23

_{The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva briefing the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan. Source: United Nations}

This past week, Chinese media outlets reported on the news about the unveiling ceremony of the Chinese language and culture center at the Naryn State University of Kyrgyzstan, an online discussion between the China International Import Expo (CIIE) Bureau and the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan about the participation of Kazakhstani enterprises in the Expo, the important remarks of Chinese Permanent Representative to the UN at the UN Security Council Briefing on Afghanistan, and the two-day official visit of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov to Azerbaijan.

: 24 June 2023

Delegates from China's CEEC arrive in Tashkent; Dalian city to expand bilateral ties with Kyrgyzstan’s Osh city; China - Kazakhstan Entrepreneurial Trade Fair held in Bortala City; The number of arrivals at Khorgos ICBC exceeds 1 million. /18.06.23

_{Wild Fires in Eastern Kazakhstan. Image source: AKI Press}

This past week, Chinese media outlets reported on the meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan and the China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC) delegation, the bilateral ties established between Dalian and Osh cities, the China - Kazakhstan Entrepreneurial Trade Fair held in Bortala City of Xinjiang, and the increase in the number of people entering and leaving the Khorgos ICBC.

: 18 June 2023

Kazakhstan willing to deepen Cooperation with the EU; Kyrgyzstan detains over 30 suspects over Attempted Coup; At least 3 Killed in Wildfires in Eastern Kazakhstan; AIF to become a Dialogue Platform for solving key Global Challenges. /10.06.23

_{Wild Fires in Eastern Kazakhstan. Image source: AKI Press}

This past week, Chinese media reported on Kazakhstan’s willingness to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with the EU, the detainment of over 30 individuals by the GKNB of Kyrgyzstan accused of an "Attempted Coup", and the wildfire in Eastern Kazakhstan's Abai region, and paid special attention to the Astana International Forum.

: 10 June 2023

Int’l flights to Uzbekistan resumed in SW China’s Sichuan; 2nd Dialogue of Cross-Border Cooperation between Kazakhstan and China is held in Almaty; President Tokayev reappoints Alikhan Smailov as Kazakh PM. /2.4.23

_{Image source: Plane Spotters}

This past week, Chinese media reported on the second friendly dialogue of cross-border cooperation between Kazakhstan and China, the resumption of direct flights from Chengdu to Tashkent, and the appointment of Alikhan Smailov as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

: 02 April 2023

Aral Sea discussed at UN Water Conference; Northwest China’s Dingxi launches first freight train service to Kostanay, Kazakhstan; Telephone conversation between President of Kazakhstan and Amir of Qatar. /25.3.23

_{Image source: The Paper}

This past week, Chinese news media reported on Uzbekistan’s participation in the UN Water Conference and the latest situation with the Aral Sea, the first freight train service from Northwest China’s Dingxi heading to Kostanay, Kazakhstan, and the telephone conversation between the President of Kazakhstan and Amir of Qatar.

: 24 March 2023

President Tokayev receives China’s Ambassador, may visit China twice in 2023; Another 5km of Kazakhstan - Uzbekistan border gets delineated; Kyrgyzstan to buy another 1500 buses from China. /17.03.23

_{Image source: MFA of China}

This past week, Chinese media reported on the Kazakhstani president’s upcoming two visits to China in 2023, a meeting between President Tokayev and Chinese ambassador Zhang Xiao, the newly adopted law on “the ratification of the agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Uzbekistan on the demarcation of the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan border”, and the discussions between Kyrgyz Cabinet and Chinese delegation to purchase 1.5 thousand buses from China.

: 17 March 2023

CCASC

Central Asia in China

Political transition in Kazakhstan; China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway works resume; Growing economic ties between Xinjiang and Central Asian States; Lunar New Year celebrated in Central Asia; Kazakhstan to host SCO Summit. /11.02.2024

Chinese VP meets Tajik National Assembly Chairman; Investment and Tourism Potential of Uzbekistan presented in Hong Kong; Xinjiang-Central Asia Media Exchange Seminar held in Urumqi; Kazakhstan’s Referendum on Nuclear Plant Construction. /07.09.23

Chinese Language & Culture Center opens in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan; China International Import Expo (CIIE) to host Kazakhstani enterprises; Chinese Rep calls on the international community to maintain dialogue and engagement with the Taliban. /24.06.23

Delegates from China's CEEC arrive in Tashkent; Dalian city to expand bilateral ties with Kyrgyzstan’s Osh city; China - Kazakhstan Entrepreneurial Trade Fair held in Bortala City; The number of arrivals at Khorgos ICBC exceeds 1 million. /18.06.23

Kazakhstan willing to deepen Cooperation with the EU; Kyrgyzstan detains over 30 suspects over Attempted Coup; At least 3 Killed in Wildfires in Eastern Kazakhstan; AIF to become a Dialogue Platform for solving key Global Challenges. /10.06.23

Int’l flights to Uzbekistan resumed in SW China’s Sichuan; 2nd Dialogue of Cross-Border Cooperation between Kazakhstan and China is held in Almaty; President Tokayev reappoints Alikhan Smailov as Kazakh PM. /2.4.23

Aral Sea discussed at UN Water Conference; Northwest China’s Dingxi launches first freight train service to Kostanay, Kazakhstan; Telephone conversation between President of Kazakhstan and Amir of Qatar. /25.3.23

President Tokayev receives China’s Ambassador, may visit China twice in 2023; Another 5km of Kazakhstan - Uzbekistan border gets delineated; Kyrgyzstan to buy another 1500 buses from China. /17.03.23