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Uzbekistan

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Uzbekistan. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Tashkent

Head of State

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev

Head of Government

Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov

Anchalika Kijkanakorn, founder of Thailand’s Akaryn Hotel Group. Photo: courtesy Anchalika Kijkanakorn

My Life

Meet Anchalika Kijkanakorn, the Thai hotelier redefining luxury resorts through wellness and meaningful travel

The founder of Thailand’s Akaryn Hotel Group on the joys of solo travel and being ahead of the sustainability curve as a pioneer of boutique hospitality.

18 May 2026 - 8:00AM

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | GDP uptick signals Hong Kong’s economy is on the right path

9 May 2026 - 6:45AM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong pledges deeper ties with Uzbekistan as China signs bilateral agreements

6 May 2026 - 9:37PM

Hong Kong economy

Uzbek PM Abdulla Aripov to join ‘milestone’ 200-member delegation in Hong Kong

Prime minister to meet city leader John Lee on Wednesday and join Uzbek officials and business leaders already exploring opportunities.

5 May 2026 - 12:06AM

The official delegation is the largest to visit Hong Kong, according to the government. Photo: Karma Lo

China travel

Chinese travellers flock to Central Asia as flight bookings soar by 120%

Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative behind stronger economic ties and passenger traffic growth between the two regions, say industry experts.

26 Apr 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

China energy security

China turns to central Asia as US blockade in Hormuz chokes global energy flows

Chinese vice-premier to visit major gas field in Turkmenistan as Beijing aims to shore up energy security and diversify away from volatile maritime routes.

14 Apr 2026 - 4:30PM

Central Asia

Opinion | Why China is looking to Central Asia as Middle East grows riskier

The region’s strategic value as a corridor of resilience is becoming harder to ignore.

12 Apr 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

An oil and gas industry worker operates a drilling rig at the Zhetybay field in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau region, on November 13, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Central Asia

Afghanistan wants US$10 billion in trade deals with Central Asia

Central Asia’s typical trade routes through Russia are hampered by heavy sanctions, while the Taliban is trying to trade with the world despite international sanctions.

5 Apr 2026 - 9:26PM

Food and Drinks

Why horse meat and nomadic tea rituals anchor this new eatery in Central

For the Kazakh founders of Yurt, opening the new Central Asian restaurant was written in the stars.

10 Mar 2026 - 11:00AM

Central Asia

Trains through the Taliban: Central Asia’s plan to bypass Russia and Iran

The Soviet Union severed Central Asia’s ancient trade routes to the Indian subcontinent. The region’s modern-day leaders want them back.

2 Mar 2026 - 11:21AMvideocam

A Taliban guard walks along railway tracks near a TAPI pipeline construction site at the Afghanistan-Turkmenistan border in 2024. Photo: AFP

China-Russia relations

As Central Asia builds ‘smart cities’ with China, is it moving away from Russia?

Lack of Russian involvement in the mega-projects is seen as part of a broader structural shift as the region moves ‘closer to the world’.

11 Feb 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Alatau in Kazakhstan is among the new future city projects in Central Asia that aim to tackle population growth and ageing infrastructure. Photo: Handout

Fame and celebrity

Meet Ilia Malinin, figure skating superstar and Winter Olympic gold favourite

Both parents of the record-breaking, two-time World Champion American figure skater represented Uzbekistan in the Winter Olympics.

6 Feb 2026 - 6:00AM

Ukraine war

The foreigners who fought for Russia, now stuck in POW limbo in Ukraine

Captured foreigners describe journeys from joining the Russian side to a Ukrainian jail with no way home.

30 Jan 2026 - 4:32PM

Turkey

Fury in Turkey after woman’s headless body found in rubbish bin

Police intercept male suspects as women’s rights groups express outrage at the latest brutal killing.

26 Jan 2026 - 2:45PM

Turkey’s flag. On Sunday, the decapitated body of a woman was found in a rubbish bin in Istanbul. File photo: EPA

Infrastructure

China plans 19% high-speed rail expansion by 2030 amid global dominance

Beijing aims to expand the nation’s entire rail network to about 180,000km as part of 2026-2030 infrastructure push, boosting connectivity nationwide.

5 Jan 2026 - 5:32PMvideocam

A high-speed train leaves the Yichang North Railway Station in China’s Hubei province on December 26. Photo: Xinhua

Japan

Steppe in the right direction? ‘Japan is back’ in Central Asia with new summit

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the leaders of five Central Asian nations are expected to establish a new framework for cooperation in AI.

18 Dec 2025 - 5:41PMvideocam

US-China relations

Why China may be better placed than US in tussle for rare earths

While Beijing has long engaged with resource-rich nations, Trump’s Washington is seen as more ‘aggressive’ and reactive.

6 Dec 2025 - 6:51AMvideocam

India

Ambani zoo, India cleared of probe curbing endangered animal imports

Vantara, a 3,500-acre zoo in Gujarat run by the Ambani family, faced allegations of improper imports of some endangered animals.

23 Nov 2025 - 6:21PM

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Anant Ambani, son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, pose for a photograph after the inauguration of Vantara animal rescue and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India, on March 4. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Opinion | As US and China turn their eyes to Central Asia, Russia loses out

The region that has traditionally been in Russia’s geopolitical orbit is turning into a new arena of competition between the US and China.

18 Nov 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump hosts Central Asian leaders as US eyes sources for critical minerals

The C5+1 summit marks Washington’s effort to expand influence in a resource-rich region long dominated by Russia and increasingly courted by China.

7 Nov 2025 - 1:44PMvideocam

Start-ups

Tencent-backed Uzbek start-up eyes pre-IPO funding round in Hong Kong

Uzum co-founder Nikolay Seleznev is looking at a potential listing in 2027, including in Hong Kong, London, Abu Dhabi and Nasdaq.

5 Nov 2025 - 9:00AM

Uzum operates e-commerce, fintech and banking services in Uzbekistan. Photo: Handout

Art

Largest art biennale in Central Asia signals new chapter for Uzbekistan

The inaugural Bukhara Biennale, which brings together over 200 Uzbek and global artists, is a sign of Uzbekistan’s opening up to the world.

29 Sep 2025 - 3:59PM

Safar (Journey), by Bangladeshi artist Kamruzzaman Shadhin and Uzbek theatre artist Zavkiddin Yodgorov from the Bukhara Puppet Theatre, is performed using huge puppets of mystical Sufi creatures during the inaugural Bukhara Biennial in Uzbekistan in September 2025. Photo: Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation

Diplomacy

Opinion | Focusing on pageantry, the West misses the point of China’s diplomacy

The West must realise the real contest is not about pageantry but which power can create space for others to feel secure, dignified, heard.

19 Sep 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Archaeology and palaeontology

Central Asia beckons for China’s cultural tourists retracing ancient Silk Road

Beijing’s infrastructure programme and other partnership initiatives with the Central Asian republics have seen visitor numbers soar.

15 Sep 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Central Asia

Opinion | In race for Central Asia’s rare earths, China is leaving US in the dust

Washington’s overtures to the region may only go so far – geographical proximity and capacity for critical mineral processing are advantages the US does not enjoy.

14 Sep 2025 - 4:30PMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and his delegation at the Great Hall of the People on September 2 in Beijing. Photo: Pool via Reuters

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong signs deals worth US$1 billion with belt and road countries

John Lee says city’s external trade with countries under initiative exceeded US$276 billion last year, an 80 per cent increase since 2013.

10 Sep 2025 - 10:11PM

City leader John Lee (centre) and treasury chief Hui Ching-yu (second from right) preside over a memorandum signing ceremony at the 10th Belt and Road Summit. Photo: Elson Li

SCO

Xi’s diplomatic blitz casts new light on China’s foreign policy

Chinese president’s meetings this week with several key leaders highlight Beijing’s shifting overseas priorities.

4 Sep 2025 - 5:23PMvideocam

China’s military drills

China’s allies give top marks for parade but the West is not won over

Russia, Iran and Cuba credit the host with showcasing the strength of the Chinese military.

4 Sep 2025 - 6:14PMvideocam

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Uzbekistan

Meet Anchalika Kijkanakorn, the Thai hotelier redefining luxury resorts through wellness and meaningful travel

The founder of Thailand’s Akaryn Hotel Group on the joys of solo travel and being ahead of the sustainability curve as a pioneer of boutique hospitality.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | GDP uptick signals Hong Kong’s economy is on the right path

Hong Kong pledges deeper ties with Uzbekistan as China signs bilateral agreements

Uzbek PM Abdulla Aripov to join ‘milestone’ 200-member delegation in Hong Kong

Prime minister to meet city leader John Lee on Wednesday and join Uzbek officials and business leaders already exploring opportunities.

Chinese travellers flock to Central Asia as flight bookings soar by 120%

Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative behind stronger economic ties and passenger traffic growth between the two regions, say industry experts.

China turns to central Asia as US blockade in Hormuz chokes global energy flows

Chinese vice-premier to visit major gas field in Turkmenistan as Beijing aims to shore up energy security and diversify away from volatile maritime routes.

Opinion | Why China is looking to Central Asia as Middle East grows riskier

The region’s strategic value as a corridor of resilience is becoming harder to ignore.

Afghanistan wants US$10 billion in trade deals with Central Asia

Central Asia’s typical trade routes through Russia are hampered by heavy sanctions, while the Taliban is trying to trade with the world despite international sanctions.

Why horse meat and nomadic tea rituals anchor this new eatery in Central

For the Kazakh founders of Yurt, opening the new Central Asian restaurant was written in the stars.

Trains through the Taliban: Central Asia’s plan to bypass Russia and Iran

The Soviet Union severed Central Asia’s ancient trade routes to the Indian subcontinent. The region’s modern-day leaders want them back.

As Central Asia builds ‘smart cities’ with China, is it moving away from Russia?

Lack of Russian involvement in the mega-projects is seen as part of a broader structural shift as the region moves ‘closer to the world’.

Meet Ilia Malinin, figure skating superstar and Winter Olympic gold favourite

Both parents of the record-breaking, two-time World Champion American figure skater represented Uzbekistan in the Winter Olympics.

The foreigners who fought for Russia, now stuck in POW limbo in Ukraine

Captured foreigners describe journeys from joining the Russian side to a Ukrainian jail with no way home.

Fury in Turkey after woman’s headless body found in rubbish bin

Police intercept male suspects as women’s rights groups express outrage at the latest brutal killing.

China plans 19% high-speed rail expansion by 2030 amid global dominance

Beijing aims to expand the nation’s entire rail network to about 180,000km as part of 2026-2030 infrastructure push, boosting connectivity nationwide.

Steppe in the right direction? ‘Japan is back’ in Central Asia with new summit

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the leaders of five Central Asian nations are expected to establish a new framework for cooperation in AI.

Why China may be better placed than US in tussle for rare earths

While Beijing has long engaged with resource-rich nations, Trump’s Washington is seen as more ‘aggressive’ and reactive.

Ambani zoo, India cleared of probe curbing endangered animal imports

Vantara, a 3,500-acre zoo in Gujarat run by the Ambani family, faced allegations of improper imports of some endangered animals.

Opinion | As US and China turn their eyes to Central Asia, Russia loses out

The region that has traditionally been in Russia’s geopolitical orbit is turning into a new arena of competition between the US and China.

Trump hosts Central Asian leaders as US eyes sources for critical minerals

The C5+1 summit marks Washington’s effort to expand influence in a resource-rich region long dominated by Russia and increasingly courted by China.

Tencent-backed Uzbek start-up eyes pre-IPO funding round in Hong Kong

Uzum co-founder Nikolay Seleznev is looking at a potential listing in 2027, including in Hong Kong, London, Abu Dhabi and Nasdaq.

Largest art biennale in Central Asia signals new chapter for Uzbekistan

The inaugural Bukhara Biennale, which brings together over 200 Uzbek and global artists, is a sign of Uzbekistan’s opening up to the world.

Opinion | Focusing on pageantry, the West misses the point of China’s diplomacy

The West must realise the real contest is not about pageantry but which power can create space for others to feel secure, dignified, heard.

Central Asia beckons for China’s cultural tourists retracing ancient Silk Road

Beijing’s infrastructure programme and other partnership initiatives with the Central Asian republics have seen visitor numbers soar.

Opinion | In race for Central Asia’s rare earths, China is leaving US in the dust

Washington’s overtures to the region may only go so far – geographical proximity and capacity for critical mineral processing are advantages the US does not enjoy.

Hong Kong signs deals worth US$1 billion with belt and road countries

John Lee says city’s external trade with countries under initiative exceeded US$276 billion last year, an 80 per cent increase since 2013.

Xi’s diplomatic blitz casts new light on China’s foreign policy

Chinese president’s meetings this week with several key leaders highlight Beijing’s shifting overseas priorities.

China’s allies give top marks for parade but the West is not won over

Russia, Iran and Cuba credit the host with showcasing the strength of the Chinese military.

Editorial | GDP uptick signals Hong Kong’s economy is on the right path