"Unpacking the Local Impact of China’s Mega-Projects on Kyrgyzstan’s Regions", The Diplomat, 9 December 2025

Since 2018, China has become Kyrgyzstan’s primary economic and investment partner [...].

A looming uncertainty is the extent to which being key node of the BRI will actually develop the regions of Kyrgyzstan through which this infrastructure is to be routed.

What is clear, however, is that hard infrastructural development [...] concentrates within the most developed regions [...]. This risks perpetuating, if not enhancing, the marginality in other parts of the country.

[...] it is important to follow through on plans for productive engagement in border and mountainous regions, too.

[...] Major projects in border areas [...] are often tied to the extractive sector [...] or yet-to be-built transit infrastructure [...]. These do not currently, nor are they likely, to generate sufficient added value or sustainable business opportunities for the local populations.

Ultimately it is essential that Kyrgyzstan’s government consider not only the volume, but also the location and long-term impacts of Chinese investments. [...]