Almaty Region Akim Addresses Anti-China Protests

Akim Marat Sultangaziyev has responded to recent anti-Chinese demonstrations in the region, Orda.kz reports.

One demonstration occurred in mid-November. 18 residents in the Uyghur district burned a portrait of the Chinese president, protesting the detention of Alimnur Turganbay in China.

According to Vlast, citing RFE/RL, several activists who demanded his return were detained and later charged with “inciting discord” — a criminal article that could carry up to 10 years in prison.

Shortly after, Aqsay residents rallied against the temporary transfer of land to a Chinese company, fearing they could lose pasture access.

Speaking about Aqsay, Sultangaziyev said:

No one is taking away the land there. The land is state-owned. A legal entity has a license to conduct exploration there. No public hearings are planned at this stage. If mineral resources are discovered and before a mining license is issued, public hearings will be held. The prosecutor's office has already conducted an investigation and provided information to the public.

When asked about the burning of the portrait, he noted only that law enforcement is already handling the case.

Original Author: Artyom Volkov