[Today's Prayer] 'Anti-China Sentiment' Escalates: Local and Chinese Workers Clash in Kyrgyzstan… 16 Arrested

In Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, a physical clash occurred between workers from a Chinese state-owned enterprise and local workers, showing signs of renewed anti-China sentiment at a sensitive time ahead of the general election.

According to the local media Times of Central Asia (TCA) on the 21st, the incident took place on the 15th near the road construction site in Konstantinovka village, Chui Province, northern Kyrgyzstan. A minor argument over truck passage rights escalated into a group brawl between workers of the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and a Kyrgyz subcontractor, involving dozens of people.

During the clash, one Kyrgyz worker suffered a brain injury and is receiving treatment at a hospital. Local police arrested 16 people at the scene and summoned 44 individuals, including Chinese nationals, for investigation.

China is currently Kyrgyzstan's largest creditor, holding more than 40% of the country's total external debt. It has invested heavily in infrastructure projects, expanding its influence mainly in roads, mines, and power facilities.

As a result, a large number of Chinese workers, from engineers to simple laborers, have been deployed, leading to growing local dissatisfaction over job exclusion.

This is not the first time there has been conflict between Chinese and locals in Kyrgyzstan. In 2011, clashes occurred in the eastern Naryn region over environmental pollution caused by a Chinese company, and in 2019, over 500 residents confronted Chinese workers at a gold mine development site in the same area due to mass livestock deaths, resulting in many injuries.

(Omitted)

President Sadyr Japarov stated in a local media interview, "Fights among Kyrgyz people on the street are a daily occurrence and should not be interpreted as diplomatic conflicts." He also warned, "We know who is inciting this. We are watching now, but if the line is crossed, arrests will be made."

Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev urged not to exaggerate the issue, saying, "Chinese workers are legally working with visas and return home when their visas expire."

Source: Nate News

"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth; when he was insulted, he did not retaliate with insults; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:22-24)

Heavenly Father, we hear the news that recently in northern Kyrgyzstan at a road construction site, clashes between Chinese company workers and local workers resulted in injuries and arrests, revealing renewed anti-China sentiment due to Kyrgyzstan's large-scale Chinese investment and influx of workers causing job losses.

Please heal the injured Kyrgyz worker and comfort the hearts of Kyrgyz souls who may be angry amid repeated conflicts with China.

At this time when Kyrgyzstan depends on China for the economic revival of its people, help them recognize that even their finances are governed by You, and grant them the wisdom to entrust all issues to the God who judges justly, and furthermore, make Kyrgyzstan a nation that hopes for Your eternal kingdom.

Open opportunities for Kyrgyz souls to find employment, and let the Kyrgyz church serve souls with Jesus' love that seeks not its own benefit.

Lord, who bore the sins of Kyrgyzstan's souls on the tree with Your body, meet those souls trapped in sin and darkness, and now make them those who die to sin and live for righteousness.

Make Kyrgyzstan a people who proclaim the love of the cross to Central Asia and all nations!