A (Very) One-sided Relationship – The Diplomat

Neighboring countries should ideally interact as equals, yet this is rarely true in global geopolitics. China and Kyrgyzstan are a case in point. The relationship between the two countries is heavily skewed in favor of Beijing, as Bishkek is deeply indebted to its neighbor and depends on it for future economic growth and development via the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 

Debt will continue to be the Sword of Damocles hanging above Bishkek for the foreseeable future. The country’s accumulated debt is estimated to be $6.2 billion,…