China cements relations with Russia and Central Asia at the Olympics

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 11 Feb 2022 by Alex Teddy
On February 4 the Winter Olympics opened in China. The presidents of Russia and all the Central Asian countries attended. No Western leader was there. The West is signaling its displeasure at Uyghurs being locked up in re-education centers.The Olympics is an unmissable opportunity for these leaders to meet President Xi.Russia has been pleased to win some medals. It usually performs well at the Games. A new gas deal between China and Russia was announced. Ensuring sales for Russia is vital when it is possible that there will be a major falling out with the EU.The President of Kazakhstan met Xi at the Games. It was Tokayev's first visit abroad since the January 2022 unrest.The Kyrgyz President asked China to speed up the construction of the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan-China Railroad. The Uzbek President also raised the matter. However, Xi was noncommittal. Yet on January 25 Xi had told Central Asian presidents in a virtual meeting that the railroad was crucial to the Belt and Road Initiative. Xi wants Kyrgyzstan to improve its business climate first. Kyrgyzstan suggested selling electricity to China.The President of Turkmenistan was in Beijing even though his country had no athletes at the Games. He praised China effusively. He asked China to help with the Line D pipeline to send gas to China.Xi signed an economic and trade plan with Tajikistan. This will only last until 2025. No Central Asia a country received as much attention from China as Pakistan did.

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