In his latest interview with Kabar news agency, President Sadyr Zhaparov stated that discussions related to foreign citizens, especially Chinese workers, are deliberately organized pre-election provocation. He also emphasized that Kyrgyzstan fully controls foreign workers.
- Hello, Sadyr Nurgozhoevich! We are once again asking you to comment on pressing issues. Discussions regarding Kyrgyz-Chinese relations have intensified on social media.
The incident in Chui region, where Kyrgyz citizen was beaten by foreigners, is there sufficient control over foreign citizens working in various sectors in our country?
- First, we must openly state: this is a provocation.
There are groups that want to organize provocative actions ahead of upcoming elections. We know all of them. For now, we are just observing from the sidelines. If they cross the line, they will be detained. Then they'll start shouting, "They just locked us up."
They have no other excuses, only the power industry and Chinese workers.
Regarding the power industry. When I explained the situation in detail, everyone calmed down.
Now they're trying to make the issue of Chinese citizens the second "problem."
Anything can happen in life. Even on the streets of Bishkek, two Kyrgyz can quarrel and fight, we see videos like this every day on social media. Domestic conflicts shouldn't be escalated and turned into a problem in bilateral relations.
Secondly, of course, we have ample capacity not only to control foreigners, but also to strengthen that control. If necessary, we can expel all foreigners who break the law in a single day or shorten their visas.
However, the state has no such need right now.
Following yesterday's incident, we issued a warning to foreign workers arriving from China to implement major projects:
"Maintain good relations with the local population and demonstrate mutual respect while working on these projects."
After the projects are completed, they will not stay in Kyrgyzstan for another day. Their work visas will expire. We have visa regime with China, no Chinese citizen can enter Kyrgyzstan without one.
Therefore, local population should also pay close attention to this. May all our large-scale projects that have already begun be successfully completed. There are already enough forces interested in preventing this road from being built. There was lot of opposition, and we barely even began construction on this road.
We, Kyrgyzstan, need this road. We need it as much as air and water.
Previously, a number of officials said the large number of Chinese citizens in the country came for the construction of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. Some say, "We could build this or any other road ourselves." Can we really implement such projects without hiring foreign labor?
-Kyrgyz have good saying: "Take a load according to your strength."
Let's not even talk about the railway; our companies haven't been able to properly pave Naryn's inner-city roads. And idea that we could tunnel through the mountains and build a railway ourselves sounds ridiculous.
Four years ago, I commissioned Kyrgyz companies to build Balykchy-Barskoon road on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake. They still haven't completed it.
One day, I went to check on the project: there were few workers, the work was progressing slowly. I asked why. They said, "After they get paid, they disappear for three or four days." We have this minus, and we must acknowledge it.
But on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, China Road won the contract for Korumdu-Balbay road only last year. They started work, paved it in one season, and finished it.
If we say we'll build the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway ourselves, we won't finish it in 30 years.
Yes, we're currently building Balykchy-Kochkor-Kara-Keche road ourselves. But that road runs through flat terrain. Our specialists are still gaining experience and learning from this project.
Furthermore, our specialists are also working on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.
We specifically recruited them, telling them to study so they could acquire skills. When we have our own specialists, then we can loudly declare, "Now we'll build it ourselves." It's too early.
Besides, we don't have enough technology. We have almost no modern equipment to drill tunnels, build bridges in the mountains, or perform other complex work.
- Thank you for your answers.
- Thank you too.
Interviewed by Director of Kabar news Agency Mederbek Shermetaliev