Explainer | Kazakhstan unrest: how will China’s economic interests be affected by the protests?

The world’s attention has been drawn to Kazakhstan in recent days after dozens of people were killed in clashes on the streets and protesters torched and ransacked public buildings in several cities.

The violence is the worst seen in the Central Asian state since it gained independence 30 years ago. The unrest has stirred concerns about the impact on Chinese companies operating in the country, which has been showered with investment under President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Here is a primer on China’s economic ties with Kazakhstan.

Where is Kazakhstan and why is it “where China’s global dream began”?

Kazakhstan is located on China’s northwest border and is the largest landlocked country in the world, sitting on rich reserves of oil and minerals.

Positioned between China and Europe, it is a crucial link in the Belt and Road Initiative and was where Xi announced the globe spanning infrastructure project in 2013.

Commerce between Kazakhstan and China can be dated back to ancient times, when businesspeople from the Han dynasty traversed the old Silk Road with troops and camels on their way to Europe.

Will the unrest affect Chinese companies and investment?

The Chinese embassy in Kazakhstan has sent out a security risk alert to Chinese companies advising them to pay close attention to how the situation develops.