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Diplomacy
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Kyrgyzstan unrest may scare off future Chinese and other foreign investors, analysts say

  • China has in the past been the biggest investor in the Central Asian nation, but economic ties have cooled
  • The country is deep in a political crisis triggered by a contested parliamentary election on October 4

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Members of the Kyrgyz armed forces line up in Ala-Too Square in Bishkek on Saturday after a state of emergency was declared and the military called in. Photo: Reuters
Keegan Elmer
Unrest in Kyrgyzstan is likely to scare off Chinese and other foreign investors in the future, with increasing reports of attacks on foreign businesses amid the political upheaval, analysts say.
China, which neighbours the volatile Central Asian country and has in the past been its largest investor, will be hoping for a fast resolution to the turmoil. But analysts say it could be a long time before Chinese investors are confident about doing business in Kyrgyzstan, where political uncertainty has made it one of the least attractive partners in its Belt and Road Initiative.

A parliamentary election on October 4 triggered mass protests and the occupation of the parliament building in Bishkek amid allegations of vote rigging. The protests prompted the prime minister to resign on Tuesday, followed by the heads of many government bodies.

Pro-Russian President Sooronbay Jeenbekov on Friday said he was prepared to resign as soon as a date for a new election had been set and a new parliament was confirmed. But the protests have now spread nationwide, with reports of attacks on Chinese and other foreign businesses amid the chaos.

President Sooronbay Jeenbekov says he is prepared to resign once a new election date has been set and a new parliament confirmed. Photo: dpa
President Sooronbay Jeenbekov says he is prepared to resign once a new election date has been set and a new parliament confirmed. Photo: dpa

Among the Chinese targets, Kyrgyz media reports said protesters tried to occupy a Chinese-owned oil refinery in the northern town of Kara-Balta. The refinery was the nation’s second largest taxpayer last year, according to Chinese media reports.

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