https://www.scmp.com/rss/520217/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Emil Avdaliani Emil Avdaliani The war in Iran is not just a regional crisis. It is reshaping global energy flows, disrupting shipping routes and forcing governments to reassess the vulnerability of their supply chains. For China, the conflict has exposed an increasingly urgent problem: the risks of heavy reliance on maritime energy imports from the Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical chokepoints, carrying roughly a fifth of global oil and gas under normal conditions. Any sustained disruption –... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3349234/why-china-looking-central-asia-middle-east-grows-riskier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3349234/why-china-looking-central-asia-middle-east-grows-riskier?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:30:08 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Afghanistan aims to increase trade with Central Asian countries to US$10 billion within the next three or four years, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said on Sunday. Trade with Central Asian countries to Afghanistan’s north came to about US$2.7 billion in 2025, itself a significant increase over previous years, Muttaqi said. He stated Afghanistan’s new trade goal with its neighbours at a “constructive dialogue” meeting in Kabul with representatives from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan,... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349095/afghanistan-wants-us10-billion-trade-deals-central-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349095/afghanistan-wants-us10-billion-trade-deals-central-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 13:26:29 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung Hong Kong’s public airmail services to 24 countries across the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia have been affected after a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran forced flight cancellations to two Gulf states and disrupted transit journeys. A Hongkong Post spokesman said on Sunday evening that the department’s airmail services to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were suspended with immediate effect until further notice. “Airmail services transiting through these locations will also be... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3345053/hongkong-posts-airmail-services-24-countries-affected-strikes-middle-east?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3345053/hongkong-posts-airmail-services-24-countries-affected-strikes-middle-east?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 15:45:39 +0000 Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings China’s leading planemaker is redoubling its efforts to boost the international profile of its home-grown jets in 2026, injecting a sizeable amount of capital into a subsidiary carrier as it attempts to widen its planes’ coverage area and attract more overseas buyers. The state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), manufacturer of the C909 regional airliner and the company’s flagship narrowbody C919, recently infused 634 million yuan (US$91.76 million) into C909 launch customer... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344157/chinas-c909-jet-gets-international-uplift-funding-adoptive-airline?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344157/chinas-c909-jet-gets-international-uplift-funding-adoptive-airline?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 03:00:09 +0000 Laura Zhou Laura Zhou Monday’s fatal blast at a Chinese restaurant in Kabul has underscored the grave security threat China is facing, not just in Afghanistan but also in wider Central Asia. One potential area of vulnerability is Tajikistan, Central Asia’s poorest country, which has a weak military and a long border with Afghanistan. On the same day as the Kabul bombing, the Chinese embassy in Tajikistan issued a travel warning, telling its citizens and companies to boost security and evacuate from the border region... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3341049/why-are-tensions-along-afghan-tajikistan-border-such-headache-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3341049/why-are-tensions-along-afghan-tajikistan-border-such-headache-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Jan 2026 02:00:23 +0000 Maria Siow Maria Siow Japan will host the leaders of five Central Asian countries in Tokyo this week, a meeting analysts say is meant to show that “Japan is back” as an active player in a region where global powers are competing for influence, minerals and transport routes. The summit with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, is also expected to consolidate Tokyo’s long-standing but “often underestimated role” in Central Asia as a trusted and non-coercive... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3336861/japan-back-central-asia-new-summit-ai-minerals-and-transport?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3336861/japan-back-central-asia-new-summit-ai-minerals-and-transport?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 06:00:32 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Three Chinese workers in Tajikistan were killed in an attack launched from Afghanistan near the border, Tajik authorities said on Thursday. Tajikistan has strained relations with the Taliban in Afghanistan, and several border clashes have broken out in recent months. The foreign ministry said a drone and firearm attack hit workers of a Chinese company in the country’s south. “The attack, carried out with firearms and a drone loaded with grenades, claimed the lives of three employees of Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3334409/3-chinese-citizens-killed-tajik-afghan-border-clash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3334409/3-chinese-citizens-killed-tajik-afghan-border-clash?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Nov 2025 13:44:51 +0000 Nikola Mikovic Nikola Mikovic As a result of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Moscow has lost much of its influence in Central Asia. In the coming months and years, the United States is expected to expand its presence in this strategically important region. But given that China has developed close economic ties with regional actors, how does Beijing view Washington’s ambitions? Coincidentally or not, on November 6, the US and China both held important meetings with Central Asia. In Washington, US President Donald Trump hosted the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3332544/us-and-china-turn-their-eyes-central-asia-russia-loses-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3332544/us-and-china-turn-their-eyes-central-asia-russia-loses-out?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Nov 2025 21:30:10 +0000 Reuters Reuters US President Donald Trump on Thursday called critical minerals a key priority as he hosted the leaders of five Central Asian nations at the White House, emphasising his administration’s efforts to expand and secure US supply chains through new global agreements. The meeting with leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan came as Washington sought to expand its influence in a resource-rich region long dominated by Russia and increasingly courted by China. Trump... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331856/trump-hosts-central-asian-leaders-us-eyes-sources-critical-minerals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331856/trump-hosts-central-asian-leaders-us-eyes-sources-critical-minerals?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Nov 2025 02:17:17 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan China’s recent high-profile diplomatic activity, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin and the Victory Day parade in Beijing in the same week, conveyed more than international headlines suggested. Although much of the media spotlight focused on the optics of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, I think the real story centres on pragmatic engagement, regional reassurance and the realignment of... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3325907/focusing-pageantry-west-misses-point-chinas-diplomacy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3325907/focusing-pageantry-west-misses-point-chinas-diplomacy?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Sep 2025 01:30:08 +0000 Emil Avdaliani Emil Avdaliani Over the past year, the US has moved to expand cooperation with Central Asian countries on critical minerals. This is being done in an effort to limit China’s chokehold on the resources that are critical to a range of industries where Beijing and Washington are locked in competition. Yet, the United States is lagging behind China in Central Asia. Beijing has long developed an efficient strategy to position itself as a dominant actor in the region’s critical minerals sector. Uzbekistan is a key... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3325069/race-central-asias-rare-earths-china-leaving-us-dust?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3325069/race-central-asias-rare-earths-china-leaving-us-dust?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Sep 2025 08:30:08 +0000 Yuanyue Dang Yuanyue Dang In less than a week, Chinese President Xi Jinping has held bilateral talks with leaders from more than 20 countries during two high-profile events – the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in the northern port city of Tianjin and the Victory Day commemoration in Beijing. The themes of the talks have shed more light on China’s engagement with partners as Beijing casts itself as a champion of a multipolar global order and forges closer economic cooperation. Multilateralism: a keyword... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3324340/xi-jinpings-diplomatic-marathon-casts-new-light-chinas-foreign-policy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3324340/xi-jinpings-diplomatic-marathon-casts-new-light-chinas-foreign-policy?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Sep 2025 09:03:56 +0000 Ji Siqi Ji Siqi A slew of foreign leaders took China’s signature high-speed railway from the northern port city of Tianjin to Beijing on Monday and Tuesday, having departed from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit to attend a Victory Day parade. Seven state leaders arrived on Monday night: President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Maldives Mohamed... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3324061/foreign-leaders-ride-rapid-rails-chinas-technological-prowess-after-sco-summit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3324061/foreign-leaders-ride-rapid-rails-chinas-technological-prowess-after-sco-summit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Sep 2025 09:31:46 +0000 Vanessa Cai Vanessa Cai The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was founded in 2001 as a Eurasian security bloc by China, Russia and the four Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It now has 10 full member states, with the addition of Belarus, India, Iran and Pakistan in the past decade. In all, the bloc now brings together 26 countries across Asia, Europe and Africa, including observer states Mongolia and Afghanistan and 14 dialogue partners: Sri Lanka, Turkey, Cambodia,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3324033/sco-summit-2025-china-showcase-how-far-bloc-has-come-nearly-quarter-century?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3324033/sco-summit-2025-china-showcase-how-far-bloc-has-come-nearly-quarter-century?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Sep 2025 07:40:15 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has adopted a 10-year strategy aimed at advancing a multipolar world, according to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The strategy comes at a time when the regional bloc, in a joint declaration, has acknowledged that escalating geopolitical tensions pose an increasing threat to its security. Speaking to reporters after a summit on Monday, Wang said that the SCO Development Strategy until 2035 had “set the tone and a clear direction” for the decade to... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3323963/sco-has-10-year-plan-multipolar-world-chinas-wang-yi-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3323963/sco-has-10-year-plan-multipolar-world-chinas-wang-yi-says?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Sep 2025 14:21:17 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim China has urged member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to strengthen their collective financial security and voice in the world as pressure mounts from the United States and its allies. Without naming any country, President Xi Jinping told the SCO state leaders – many of them facing blanket sanctions and punitive tariffs from the US – that the organisation needed to speed up and achieve “real results” to better protect themselves from “hegemonic” bullying. To that end, Xi... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3323954/us-sanctions-take-toll-xi-jinping-presses-sco-target-bullying?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3323954/us-sanctions-take-toll-xi-jinping-presses-sco-target-bullying?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Sep 2025 14:00:08 +0000 Nikola Mikovic Nikola Mikovic While United States President Donald Trump aims to end – or at least freeze – the Ukraine conflict and portray himself as a peacemaker, China seems to be quietly expanding its influence in Eurasia – a region that Halford Mackinder, “the father of geopolitics”, viewed as the key to global power. The coming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, scheduled to start on August 31 in Tianjin, is expected to provide another opportunity for Beijing to strengthen its political, economic and military... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3323022/beijing-expands-its-influence-eurasia-trump-triggers-geopolitical-shifts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3323022/beijing-expands-its-influence-eurasia-trump-triggers-geopolitical-shifts?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Aug 2025 22:30:07 +0000 Nikola Mikovic Nikola Mikovic As Israel’s war on Iran rages and Russia intensifies its missile and drone strikes on Kyiv, China is quietly expanding its influence in Central Asia. The second China-Central Asia Summit, held in Astana in Kazakhstan last week, was an ideal opportunity for Beijing to strengthen economic and political ties not only with the host country but also with Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. The Astana Times reported that a total of 58 agreements worth nearly US$25 billion were signed... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3314892/why-chinas-central-asian-footprint-about-get-bigger?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3314892/why-chinas-central-asian-footprint-about-get-bigger?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Jun 2025 08:30:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Amid wars in the Middle East and Eastern Europe and geopolitical tensions, Central Asia is a comparative oasis of peace, stability and cooperation. This was reflected this week in the second China-Central Asia Summit. The six countries signed a landmark permanent friendship pact, and President Xi Jinping pledged 1.5 billion yuan (HK$1.6 billion) in livelihood and development assistance to China’s five partners – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. China shares land... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3315305/central-asia-friendship-pact-bolsters-stability?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3315305/central-asia-friendship-pact-bolsters-stability?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Jun 2025 22:30:07 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen At a high-level summit this week, China and its Central Asian partners voiced their shared security concerns and showed a united front amid a turbulent global landscape. The close ties between Beijing and the five Central Asian countries – whose leaders met at the China-Central Asia Summit in Kazakhstan on Tuesday – have sparked questions about whether Russia’s regional dominance is waning as it remains preoccupied with the Ukraine war. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed this possibility... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3315092/chinas-influence-growing-central-asia-what-does-mean-russia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3315092/chinas-influence-growing-central-asia-what-does-mean-russia?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Jun 2025 02:00:08 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen China wrapped up its latest engagement effort in Central Asia on Tuesday with a 1.5 billion (US$209 million) yuan pledge towards livelihood and development projects in the region. The six participating countries in the second China-Central Asia Summit also signed a landmark permanent friendship pact. “China is willing to provide 1.5 billion yuan in grant assistance to Central Asian countries this year to support livelihood and development projects of common concern to each country,” Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3314828/china-and-central-asian-leaders-cap-summit-friendship-pact-and-aid-pledge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3314828/china-and-central-asian-leaders-cap-summit-friendship-pact-and-aid-pledge?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Jun 2025 14:04:55 +0000 Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma Chinese President Xi Jinping is meeting with five Central Asian leaders on Tuesday, looking to deepen ties in a region rich in natural resources and strategically located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The heads of energy-rich Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are all attending the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, the Kazakh capital. The gathering, which comes two years after China hosted the first summit in Xian, was expected to focus on security... https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3314768/xi-boosts-china-ties-resource-rich-central-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3314768/xi-boosts-china-ties-resource-rich-central-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Jun 2025 09:04:16 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Kazakhstan ahead of Tuesday’s China-Central Asia Summit as Beijing aims to firm up ties in the energy-rich and strategically important region. The trip is Xi’s third abroad this year and his sixth to Kazakhstan in the decade or so since he became president, making it Xi’s second most visited country after Russia. He is accompanied on the trip by top aide Cai Qi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and was greeted on arrival in Astana on Monday by Kazakh... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3314637/xi-jinping-heads-energy-rich-kazakhstan-china-central-asia-summit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3314637/xi-jinping-heads-energy-rich-kazakhstan-china-central-asia-summit?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Jun 2025 13:00:15 +0000 Nikola Mikovic Nikola Mikovic For Russian President Vladimir Putin, celebrating Victory Day on May 9 appears to be a top priority. Unable to defeat Ukraine after more than three years of war, Putin is preparing to bask in the glory of the Soviet Union’s triumph over the Nazi Germany – a victory for which he can claim no credit. This year, leaders of several former Soviet republics – Belarus, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia – and the presidents of Brazil, Burkina Faso,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3309152/how-china-became-central-russias-victory-day-parade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3309152/how-china-became-central-russias-victory-day-parade?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 May 2025 12:30:08 +0000 Emil Avdaliani Emil Avdaliani While China’s economic ties with Central Asia are mostly visible in terms of investments and commercial deals, Beijing is also making inroads into the region’s arms market as part of its greater overall security engagement there. For much of the post-Soviet period, Russia held a near-monopoly over arms sales to Central Asian countries, particularly Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. However, the war in Ukraine has pulled in Russia’s military resources and sapped its arms export... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3308328/how-central-asia-embracing-chinese-arms-sales?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3308328/how-central-asia-embracing-chinese-arms-sales?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Apr 2025 21:30:08 +0000 Women in Tajikistan, in Central Asia, are being advised by the government to dress more “Tajik-style” and not wear either revealing Western clothes or Islamic head coverings – supposedly to reinforce national identity. Some in the secular Muslim country are speaking out against the advice, which comes from Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon as well as in the form of a manual expected to be issued by the government this year. The advice to be published in July will be based on “scientific and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3301867/no-hijabs-no-miniskirts-ex-soviet-republics-fashion-advice-women-rankles-some?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3301867/no-hijabs-no-miniskirts-ex-soviet-republics-fashion-advice-women-rankles-some?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Mar 2025 08:15:07 +0000 Global development has undergone profound changes in recent years, driven by mounting geopolitical tensions, climate-induced disasters and persistent health crises. Traditional donor systems are facing growing fiscal pressures and shifting priorities, leading to significant reductions in aid budgets. For instance, several European nations have lowered their foreign aid contributions, redirecting budgets to cover domestic issues. This has resulted in decreased funding for international... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3293057/west-cuts-global-aid-emerging-powers-must-step-and-contribute?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3293057/west-cuts-global-aid-emerging-powers-must-step-and-contribute?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Jan 2025 21:30:12 +0000 China aims to strengthen ties with Tajikistan under regional frameworks, its top diplomat has said, while pledging to “deepen security cooperation and resolutely combat all forms of terrorism” with the central Asian nation. Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who met Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe on Saturday, said China attached great importance to the needs of its neighbour and was committed to cooperation in emerging industries and economic development. The Chinese side “firmly... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3263275/chinas-top-diplomat-wang-yi-vows-stronger-security-anti-terror-ties-tajikistan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3263275/chinas-top-diplomat-wang-yi-vows-stronger-security-anti-terror-ties-tajikistan?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 May 2024 13:12:46 +0000 Asian Cup debutants Tajikistan celebrated making more history on Sunday, as they stunned the United Arab Emirates on penalties to join Australia in the quarter-finals. After the game ended 1-1 in Doha following 120 tense minutes, Tajikistan won a dramatic shootout 5-3 with Alisher Shukurov holding his nerve with the final spot-kick. The Central Asians, ranked 106th in the world and at their first Asian Cup, will now face either Jordan or the 2007 champions Iraq in the last eight. Goalkeeper... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3250095/afc-asian-cup-minnows-tajikistan-stun-uae-last-16-make-more-history-join-australia-quarter-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3250095/afc-asian-cup-minnows-tajikistan-stun-uae-last-16-make-more-history-join-australia-quarter-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Jan 2024 01:25:13 +0000 Tajikistan head coach Petar Segrt said talismanic striker Manuchekhr Dzhalilov’s presence in Qatar despite serious illness was providing a “big motivation” for his squad. The national team’s record scorer, Dzhalilov was diagnosed with cancer in September last year and underwent treatment in Moscow. Despite that, the 33-year-old was well enough to join his teammates, including younger brother Alisher, in their camp for Tajikistan’s debut AFC Asian Cup finals appearance this month. Segrt’s side... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3248719/afc-asian-cup-tajikistan-boss-hails-star-striker-cheering-team-qatar-following-cancer-diagnosis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3248719/afc-asian-cup-tajikistan-boss-hails-star-striker-cheering-team-qatar-following-cancer-diagnosis?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Jan 2024 06:30:18 +0000 China head coach Aleksandar Jankovic promised to make changes after the country failed to win their opening AFC Asian Cup finals match for the first time in five editions of the tournament in Qatar. Jankovic’s side spent long periods on the back foot in a 0-0 draw with competition debutants Tajikistan on Saturday, struggling to get to grips with the newcomers’ purposeful, imaginative football at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha. Victory over Lebanon on Wednesday would still all but guarantee... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3248354/afc-asian-cup-china-claim-point-after-late-goal-ruled-out-tajikistan-mark-first-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3248354/afc-asian-cup-china-claim-point-after-late-goal-ruled-out-tajikistan-mark-first-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Jan 2024 17:49:36 +0000 Jorn Andersen plans to field his strongest 11 when Hong Kong complete their AFC Asian Cup finals preparations against Saudi Arabia next week, after a much-changed side lost to Tajikistan in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Head coach Andersen called the 2-1 defeat behind closed doors a valuable “learning experience” after retaining only four players from the team who on Monday earned Hong Kong’s first victory over China in 29 years. Everton Camargo, one of the quartet starting successive matches, scored... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3247346/asian-cup-finals-2024-hong-kong-unable-follow-china-victory-heroics-suffer-slender-loss-latest-warm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3247346/asian-cup-finals-2024-hong-kong-unable-follow-china-victory-heroics-suffer-slender-loss-latest-warm?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Jan 2024 02:57:22 +0000 A series of earthquakes shook Tajikistan on Thursday morning, near China’s far western Xinjiang region. The US Geological Survey said the strongest earthquake’s magnitude was 6.8, while the China Earthquake Networks Centre reported it was 7.2, according to Chinese state television CCTV. Preliminary seismic measurements by different agencies often differ. A 5.0-magnitude aftershock hit the area about 20 minutes after the initial quake, followed by a 4.6-magnitude quake. The first quake struck... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3211188/earthquakes-shake-tajikistan-near-border-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3211188/earthquakes-shake-tajikistan-near-border-china?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Feb 2023 02:47:21 +0000 Security services killed two leaders of a “criminal group” and arrested 10 others in ex-Soviet Tajikistan’s restive east, the Central Asian country’s state information service reported on Sunday. The two men “put up armed resistance” using grenades and assault rifles but were “liquidated” by security services, said the state information service Khovar. Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, commonly known by its Soviet-era acronym GBAO, has been a periodic flashpoint since the end of a civil war in... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3181443/tajikistan-security-services-kill-two-criminal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3181443/tajikistan-security-services-kill-two-criminal?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Jun 2022 19:14:56 +0000 Hong Kong Premier League champions Kitchee FC have been drawn against Shanghai Port and Chiangrai United in the group stages of the Asian Champions League. In last year’s competition, Kitchee finished with a creditable 11 points from six matches and narrowly missed out on the last 16, while striker Dejan Damjanovic overtook Lee Dong-gook as the competition’s record scorer. One more side will be added to Group J, with the winners of a playoff making up the numbers. ✨#ACL2022 group stage draw... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3163676/asian-champions-league-kitchee-drawn-against-shanghai-port-al-hilal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3163676/asian-champions-league-kitchee-drawn-against-shanghai-port-al-hilal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Jan 2022 09:11:09 +0000