Articles in the English and Chinese editions of the Global Times (January 6) headlined 'Riots show signs of
“color revolution,” sounding alarm bells for China, Russia' said "As the chaos in the Central Asian country
- the worst in decades - has shown signs of a "color revolution," analysts warned of the high possibility that
the US will take the chance to destabilize the region to further contain China and Russia". It added that
"Kazakhstan has been dubbed the "energy hub" of Central Asia, and the current situation in Kazakhstan will
have little impact on oil and gas pipelines and projects with China, and Chinese companies in the country
have taken measures to ensure the safety of its employees, the Global Times has learned from related Chinese
companies". It quoted Su Chang, a research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central
Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, as saying that "Clashes between different political
groups, especially during the power transition period, may also be the reasons behind the riots, and outside
forces may also be involved in promoting the unrest". Su Chang said "Who would benefit most from the riots? Probably the US and the West. Kazakhstan shares borders with both China and Russia, and the Biden
administration's strategic purpose is to contain China and Russia. When Kazakhstan falls into chaos, the
stability of the whole region would be affected." Zhu Yongbiao, a Professor from the Research Center for
the Belt and Road of the Lanzhou University, told the Global Times “The US has never stopped its efforts
in making "democratic reforms" in Central Asia, for example, by assisting local elites to study in the US,
training and funding NGOs and cultivating media". The Global Times claimed after checking public data
released on the "official website of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a veteran anti-China
foundation financed by the US government", it found that the NED "had poured $1.08 million into
Kazakhstan to fund projects on independent news and commentary and human rights advocacy. For example,
$50,000 of this money had been used to promote "freedom of peaceful assembly in Kazakhstan." Stating that
China will increase its border controls, it claimed that Chinese enterprises and industry insiders contacted by
the Global Times said that "the unrest will not have a big impact as the transportation of oil and gas is
technically reliable. Local Chinese companies said that they are prepared, and the Kazakhstan government
will also take corresponding measures to ensure safety. A Chinese energy company also said on Thursday
that its oil exploration projects are located far away from big cities, and thus have not been affected for the
time being, while local businesses are all operating normally". Yang Jin, an associate research fellow at the
Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences,
told the Global Times “The situation in Kazakhstan will inevitably have some impact on the transportation
of oil and gas, but overall operations will continue to be normal. The China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline
concerns the core national interests of Kazakhstan and is one of its economic lifelines. Therefore, even if
there is temporary domestic unrest, it will not affect transportation safety." Speaking at the regular press
briefing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said "China believes the government of Kazakhstan will
properly handle the protests, which is an internal affair of Kazakhstan”.
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