In a recent interview with the Kabar agency, the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, commented on the situation regarding foreign workers, especially the Chinese, calling it an electoral provocation.
Japarov noted that control over foreign workers in the country is being carried out in full measure.
- Hello, Sadyr Nurgoyevich! We are reaching out to you again with questions on current topics. Discussions about Kyrgyz-Chinese relations have become more active on social media.
The reason for this is likely the incident in the Chui region, where a local citizen was attacked by foreigners. Is there sufficient control over foreigners in various sectors in Kyrgyzstan?
- First of all, I want to say: this is a provocation.
There are groups trying to organize provocative actions before the elections. We are aware of them and are monitoring. If they cross the line, we will detain them, and then their outcry will begin: "We were unjustly arrested."
Their agendas are limited to issues of energy and the Chinese.
Regarding energy, when I explained the situation in detail, everyone calmed down.
Now they are once again trying to raise the issue of Chinese workers.
Conflicts occur, even among Kyrgyz people on the streets of Bishkek — we see similar videos on social media every day. There is no need to elevate domestic disputes to a high level and turn them into problems of bilateral relations.
Secondly, we have enough resources not only to control foreign citizens but also to strengthen it. If necessary, we can expel all violators in the shortest possible time or shorten the duration of their visas.
But at the moment, the state does not have such a necessity.
After the incident, we sent a warning to the Chinese workers involved in large projects:
“Maintain good relations with the local population and show mutual respect during work.”
Upon completion of the projects, they will not stay in the country, as their work visas will expire. We adhere to the visa regime with China — no citizen of that country can enter Kyrgyzstan without a visa.
Therefore, local residents should be vigilant. Let our large projects, which have already started, be successfully completed. There are many interested in not having this road built. We have faced numerous obstacles and have only just begun construction with difficulty.
This road is needed not by someone else, but by us, Kyrgyzstan. It is as essential as air and water.
- Previously, some officials explained the high number of Chinese citizens in the country by the start of construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. Some claim that "we could build such or any other road ourselves." Can we really implement such projects without involving foreign workers?
- Kyrgyz people have a wise saying: "Жылкыңа ченеп ышкыр, алыңа карап бышкыр" (Take according to your strength).
Let’s not even talk about the railway; our companies cannot even properly asphalt the streets of Naryn. And to claim that we will drill tunnels in the mountains and build a railway ourselves is simply ridiculous.
Four years ago, I instructed local companies to complete the construction of the road from Balykchy to Barskoon on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, but they still have not managed to do so.
I checked myself: there were few workers, and the work was progressing slowly. I ask: why is it so? The answer: "After receiving their salaries, they disappear for three to four days." This is our shortcoming, and it needs to be acknowledged.
On the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, the road from Korumdu to Balbay was built by the company "China Road," and they completed the project in one season.
If we say that we will build the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway ourselves, we won’t finish it even in 30 years.
Yes, we are currently building the road from Balykchy to Kochkor to Kara-Keche, but it goes through flat terrain. Our specialists are still learning and gaining experience.
Moreover, our specialists, whom we specifically attracted for training, are also working on the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. When we gain our own experience, then we can proudly say: "Now we can build ourselves." For now, it is premature.
Additionally, we lack technology. We have almost no modern equipment for drilling tunnels, building bridges in the mountains, and performing other complex tasks.
