Latest news with #Kyrgyzstan
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Migrant-funded dreams: How Kyrgyzstan is growing on foreign wages
BATKEN (Kyrgyzstan), June 26 — In a remote town in southern Kyrgyzstan, teacher Nur Akhmatov watched workers building a library, conference hall and women's sports centre — construction mostly funded by Kyrgyz emigrants sending money home from Russia. The project in Batken is a snapshot of how important emigrant labour has become for economies across Central Asia. The flow of remittances to the region came in at record amounts last year, according to World Bank data. An all-time high of US$3 billion (RM12.67 billion) flowed into Kyrgyzstan from migrant workers living abroad, accounting for around 25 per cent of the country's gross domestic product. In neighbouring Tajikistan, the US$6 billion made-up almost half its GDP — the highest level in the world. Uzbekistan, the region's most populous nation, received US$14.8 billion — 14 per cent of GDP. 'When I worked in Moscow, I donated 300 som (RM12) a month,' said Akhmatov, who is supervising the construction of the building in his home village. He said some 1,500 migrants recently contributed to build a new school in Batken, where the average salary is around US$235. A new sports centre is a particular source of pride for teacher Abazbek Abdinabiyev. 'Children would play in the dust ... now we have this, and a pitch,' he told AFP, showing off the bright blue and yellow indoor sports court. 'The contribution made by migrants has been enormous. Despite being far away, they have all helped to ensure that their children and brothers could have this opportunity,' Abdinabiyev told AFP. In a remote town in southern Kyrgyzstan, teacher Nur Akhmatov watched workers building a library, conference hall and women's sports centre — construction mostly funded by Kyrgyz emigrants sending money home from Russia. — AFP pic 'Duty of every citizen' Local currencies have slipped against the Russian rouble in recent months, pushing up the spending power of what migrant workers send back. The Kyrgyz government estimates that without remittances, the country's poverty rate would shoot up from 29 per cent to 41 per cent. Unable to fund such projects alone, governments encourage the contributions. 'Beautifying the country is the duty of every citizen,' reads a government banner stretched over the road in Mehrobod, northern Tajikistan. 'Each district is trying to solve its own problems: getting our children into school, keeping the streets clean and well-maintained,' said villager Abdukakhor Majidov. Around him, crews on rollers and with shovels were levelling the ground ahead of tarmacking. A new school and bridge were already completed last year. 'As soon as one street is repaired, we move on to the next,' said Majidov, who handles fundraising. Workers build a library, conference room and sports hall for women, funded by contributions from Kyrgyz migrant workers abroad. — AFP pic 'Less emigration' But leaving for Russia has lost some of its appeal since Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022. While Russia's arms factories are booming and job opportunities are plenty, many fear being sent to fight in Ukraine. Around 20,000 Central Asian migrants who received Russian citizenship are already serving in the army, Moscow said last month. The recruitment triggered a backlash among Russia's traditional allies in the region. Without specifying what he was referring to, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon has expressed concern about the 'hundreds of repatriated coffins' coming back from Russia, filled with those who had left 'to earn bread for their families'. There has also been a surge in anti-migrant sentiment in Russia following the arrest of four Tajiks as the suspected perpetrators of the 2024 massacre at a music venue outside Moscow, Russia's deadliest terror attack in two decades. Alongside a spike in violence and street harassment, Moscow passed laws making it easier to expel migrants. Kadyrbek Tashimbekov, 29, is among the 300,000 Kyrgyz who have left Russia — willingly or by force — between 2023 and 2024, according to Bishkek's statistics. The exodus accounts for more than half of all Kyrgyz migrants who were living in Russia. 'I was expelled after working there for eight years,' he told AFP. Now he operates the crane picking up the beams for the frame of Batken's new school. Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov has pledged to encourage labour migrants back to the country. Meanwhile locals hope to use their funds to boost living standards at home and break the cycle of emigration. The three former migrants that AFP spoke to — Abdinabiyev, Akhmatov and Tashimbekov — all said salaries were growing at home and do not plan to return to Russia. 'We are building this with the hope that if we have such centres, we will train them in the right professions, guide them,' said Akhmatov. 'And maybe there will be less emigration.' — AFP
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Why China's Central Asian footprint is about to get bigger
The second China-Central Asia Summit , held in Astana in Kazakhstan last week, was an ideal opportunity for Beijing to strengthen economic and political ties not only with the host country but also with Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. The Astana Times reported that a total of 58 agreements worth nearly US$25 billion were signed between China and its regional partners. China also reached a series of bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Earlier this week, Kazakhstan announced that China National Nuclear Corporation would lead a project aimed at building another nuclear power plant in the Central Asian country. These developments indicate that Beijing's influence in this strategically important region is only growing. However, that does not mean that other global actors are sitting idly by and watching as China strengthens its position in Central Asia. Earlier this year, the European Union sought to expand its ties with the region through the EU–Central Asia Summit format. It is not a secret that Brussels is eyeing Central Asian raw materials. Russia, meanwhile, despite its preoccupation with the war in Ukraine, still sees the region as its 'near abroad' and maintains relatively strong security ties with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan – all members of the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO).
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Winners of the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival Golden Goblet Awards Revealed
SHANGHAI, June 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival Golden Goblet Award ceremony was held at the Shanghai Grand Theatre. The Golden Goblet Awards were successively revealed. At the awards ceremony, 49 entries competed in the five major categories of the Golden Goblet Award. As the eight major awards of the Golden Goblet Award's main competition section were successively announced, the Kyrgyzstan film BLACK RED YELLOW won Best Film. Actor José Martins was awarded the Golden Goblet for Best Actor for his role in the film THE SCENT OF THINGS REMEMBERED. Actress Wan Qian was awarded the Golden Goblet for Best Actress for her role in the film WILD NIGHTS, TAMED BEASTS. Best Feature Film: BLACK RED YELLOW (Kyrgyzstan), directed by Aktan Arym Kubat Jury Grand Prix： ON SUMMER SAND (Japan), directed by Shinya Tamada WILD NIGHTS, TAMED BEASTS (China), directed by WANG Tong Best Director: CAO Baoping for ONE WACKY SUMMER (China) Best Screenplay: Korek Bojanowski/Katia Priwieziencew for LOSS OF BALANCE (Poland), directed by Korek Bojanowski Best Actor: José Martins in THE SCENT OF THINGS REMEMBERED (Portugal/Brazil), directed by António Ferreira Best Actress： WAN Qian in WILD NIGHTS, TAMED BEASTS (China), directed by WANG Tong Best Cinematography: Markus Nestroy for YOU BELIEVE IN ANGELS, MR. DROWAK? (Germany, Switzerland), directed by Nicolas Steiner Outstanding Artistic Achievement: MY FATHER'S SON (China, France), directed by QIU Sheng Asian New Talent Best Film: AS THE WATER FLOWS (China), directed by BIAN Zhuo Asian New Talent Best Director: Liryc Dela Cruz for WHERE THE NIGHT STANDS STILL (Italy/Philippines) Asian New Talent Best Actor: SHI Pengyuan in WATER CAN GO ANYWHERE (China), directed by FANG Liang Asian New Talent Best Actress: Meenakshi Jayan in VICTORIA (India), directed by Sivaranjini J Asian New Talent Best Script Writer: Lalith Rathnayake/Nilantha Perera for RIVERSTONE (Sri Lanka), directed by Lalith Rathnayake Asian New Talent Best Cinematography: Prabath Roshan for RIVERSTONE (Sri Lanka), directed by Lalith Rathnayake Best Documentary: Constanza (Spain), directed by Agustín Márquez Gómez Best Animation Film: THE SONGBIRDS' SECRET(France/Switzerland/Belgium), directed by Antoine Lanciaux Best Live Action Short Film: CROW (China), directed by XU Jianming Best Animated Short Film: SON (Russia, Kazakhstan), directed by Zhanna Bekmambetova By integrating culture, commerce, and tourism, the Shanghai International Film Festival has created new entertainment-driven consumption opportunities, further energizing this cosmopolitan city's vibrant economy. Tomorrow marks the final day of screenings, and the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival will draw to a close on June 22. SOURCE SIFF
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Winners of the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival Golden Goblet Awards Revealed
SHANGHAI, June 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival Golden Goblet Award ceremony was held at the Shanghai Grand Theatre. The Golden Goblet Awards were successively revealed. At the awards ceremony, 49 entries competed in the five major categories of the Golden Goblet Award. As the eight major awards of the Golden Goblet Award's main competition section were successively announced, the Kyrgyzstan film BLACK RED YELLOW won Best Film. Actor José Martins was awarded the Golden Goblet for Best Actor for his role in the film THE SCENT OF THINGS REMEMBERED. Actress Wan Qian was awarded the Golden Goblet for Best Actress for her role in the film WILD NIGHTS, TAMED BEASTS. Best Feature Film: BLACK RED YELLOW (Kyrgyzstan), directed by Aktan Arym Kubat Jury Grand Prix： ON SUMMER SAND (Japan), directed by Shinya Tamada WILD NIGHTS, TAMED BEASTS (China), directed by WANG Tong Best Director: CAO Baoping for ONE WACKY SUMMER (China) Best Screenplay: Korek Bojanowski/Katia Priwieziencew for LOSS OF BALANCE (Poland), directed by Korek Bojanowski Best Actor: José Martins in THE SCENT OF THINGS REMEMBERED (Portugal/Brazil), directed by António Ferreira Best Actress： WAN Qian in WILD NIGHTS, TAMED BEASTS (China), directed by WANG Tong Best Cinematography: Markus Nestroy for YOU BELIEVE IN ANGELS, MR. DROWAK? (Germany, Switzerland), directed by Nicolas Steiner Outstanding Artistic Achievement: MY FATHER'S SON (China, France), directed by QIU Sheng Asian New Talent Best Film: AS THE WATER FLOWS (China), directed by BIAN Zhuo Asian New Talent Best Director: Liryc Dela Cruz for WHERE THE NIGHT STANDS STILL (Italy/Philippines) Asian New Talent Best Actor: SHI Pengyuan in WATER CAN GO ANYWHERE (China), directed by FANG Liang Asian New Talent Best Actress: Meenakshi Jayan in VICTORIA (India), directed by Sivaranjini J Asian New Talent Best Script Writer: Lalith Rathnayake/Nilantha Perera for RIVERSTONE (Sri Lanka), directed by Lalith Rathnayake Asian New Talent Best Cinematography: Prabath Roshan for RIVERSTONE (Sri Lanka), directed by Lalith Rathnayake Best Documentary: Constanza (Spain), directed by Agustín Márquez Gómez Best Animation Film: THE SONGBIRDS' SECRET(France/Switzerland/Belgium), directed by Antoine Lanciaux Best Live Action Short Film: CROW (China), directed by XU Jianming Best Animated Short Film: SON (Russia, Kazakhstan), directed by Zhanna Bekmambetova By integrating culture, commerce, and tourism, the Shanghai International Film Festival has created new entertainment-driven consumption opportunities, further energizing this cosmopolitan city's vibrant economy. Tomorrow marks the final day of screenings, and the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival will draw to a close on June 22. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE SIFF
South China Morning Post
20-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Central Asia friendship pact bolsters stability
Amid wars in the Middle East and Eastern Europe and geopolitical tensions, Central Asia is a comparative oasis of peace, stability and cooperation. This was reflected this week in the second China-Central Asia Summit. Advertisement The six countries signed a landmark permanent friendship pact, and President Xi Jinping pledged 1.5 billion yuan (HK$1.6 billion) in livelihood and development assistance to China's five partners – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. China shares land borders with 14 neighbouring countries, and Central Asia is one of the least troublesome regions. In his keynote summit address, Xi stressed the need for cooperation amid global upheaval and transformation. Reiterating that there would be no winners in the tariff and trade war, he said: 'Supporters of protectionism and hegemonism will harm others and themselves.' The region, where Russia is historically dominant, is integral to Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative global development strategy, evidenced by heavy investment in energy pipelines, infrastructure and mining projects. Expansion plans include renewable energy and sustainable development – a focus of Xi's talks with the leaders of the five states. He also defended multilateralism and the global trade order at meetings, reflecting China's efforts to position itself as a reliable trade partner. Advertisement Beijing sees terrorism, separatism and extremism as threats to national and regional security, and Xi returned to this theme repeatedly in meetings with leaders. Notwithstanding the historical emphasis on economic development in the region, China has expanded its security presence through joint counterterrorism exercises, training programmes and aid.
