Tajikistan (6do encyclopedia)



Introduction:
Tajikistan, officially known as the Republic of Tajikistan, is a landlocked country located in Central Asia. It is the smallest country in the region, with an area of 143,100 square kilometers, and has a population of approximately 9 million people.

Geography:
Tajikistan shares borders with Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, China to the east, and Afghanistan to the south. The country is situated between the Pamir Mountains to the southeast and the Alay Mountains to the northeast. The capital and largest city of Tajikistan is Dushanbe, which is located in the west of the country.

The climate in Tajikistan varies greatly depending on altitude. The lowland areas experience a hot and dry climate, while higher elevations have a cooler and more temperate climate. The country’s terrain is mostly rugged and mountainous, with over 90% of the land covered by mountains.

History:
The history of Tajikistan dates back to ancient times. The region was ruled by various empires and kingdoms, including the Achaemenid Empire, Alexander the Great, the Kushans, the Sassanian Empire, and the Samanid Empire. The Samanid Empire was particularly influential, as it brought Persian culture and Islam to the region.

During the 19th century, Tajikistan became part of the Russian Empire. The country gained independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since then, Tajikistan has had its fair share of political and economic challenges, including a civil war in the 1990s and a struggling economy.

Culture:
Tajikistan’s culture is heavily influenced by Persian culture and Islamic traditions. The national language is Tajik, which is a variety of Persian. Islam is the predominant religion in the country, with the majority of the population adhering to the Sunni branch of Islam.

Tajikistan is known for its traditional music, which includes the use of instruments such as the dutor (a type of lute) and the tanbur (a long-necked fretted string instrument). The country is also famous for its colorful textiles and embroidery.

Cuisine:
Tajik cuisine is similar to that of other Central Asian countries, with a heavy emphasis on soups, meat dishes, and rice. Pilaf, a dish made of rice, meat, and vegetables, is a staple of Tajik cuisine. Other popular dishes include shurbo, a hearty soup made with lamb or beef, and laghman, a noodle dish.

Economy:
Tajikistan is one of the poorest countries in Central Asia, with a GDP per capita of around $1,000. The country’s economy is heavily dependent on remittances from migrant workers, who often work in Russia and send money back home to their families. Agriculture is also an important sector, providing employment for about 70% of the population.

Tourism:
Tajikistan is a popular destination for adventure tourists due to its mountainous terrain and numerous hiking trails. The Pamir Highway, which runs through the Pamir Mountains, is one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions. The country also has several historic sites, including the ancient city of Penjikent and the Hissar Fortress.

Conclusion:
Tajikistan may be small and relatively unknown, but it has a rich history and culture that is worth exploring. Despite its economic challenges, the country has much to offer in terms of tourism, with stunning mountain landscapes and historic sites.


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China looks to strengthen ties in Russia's Central Asian backyard

Reuters

23-05-17 09:34


China is to host an in-person summit of central Asian leaders this week, a bid to firm up its links with smaller former Soviet states, widely seen as Russia's backyard. China's president, Xi Jinping, is expected to discuss deepening economic and security links with the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, a region which analysts say has been seeking alternative investment as Moscow concentrates on the Ukraine. The inaugural, virtual China-Central Asia leaders' summit was held in 2020, and China's trade with the five central Asia states has multiplied a hundred-fold since the establishment of diplomatic ties three decades ago.

https://www.reuters.com/world/china-looks-strengthen-ties-russias-central-asian-backyard-2023-05-17/
China's Xi pledges deeper Kazakh ties in times of 'prosperity and adversity'

Reuters

23-05-17 11:57


China is seeking to strengthen its relationship with Kazakhstan, according to Chinese President Xi Jinping. The comments came ahead of China's first in-person summit of leaders from Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. These countries, all formerly part of the Soviet Union, are seeking alternative sources of investment as Moscow channels resources into the war in Ukraine. Since establishing ties 30 years ago, China's trade with the five Central Asian states has increased 100-fold, with investment between China and the group reaching over $70bn in 2022.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinas-xi-pledges-deeper-kazakh-ties-times-prosperity-adversity-2023-05-17/
FirstFT: Sunak considers following US lead on Chinese investment curbs

Financial Times

23-05-17 22:19


UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has said that he is considering following the US's lead by imposing new restrictions on domestic companies investing in critical industries in China. US President, Joe Biden, has been drawing up a plan to limit investments in key parts of the Chinese economy, which is yet to be announced. Sunak also mentioned that placing further export controls on China would also be discussed at the G7 gathering. Meanwhile, Sunak has backed away from his promise to ban Confucius Institutes from operating in Britain in an attempt to improve UK-China relations.

https://www.ft.com/content/fdc660d9-0dc3-4d3d-b077-a3cbee78521e
China to convene Central Asian leaders to counter G-7 summit

Nikkei Asia

23-05-17 21:36


The first summit meeting between China and the leaders of five Central Asian countries will take place this week, following G7 meetings in Hiroshima this week. Chinese Premier, Xi Jinping will host the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in Xi'an, with a joint declaration of cooperation to be signed. This is the first meeting since China and the five countries established diplomatic ties in 1992.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/China-to-convene-Central-Asian-leaders-to-counter-G-7-summit
Xi Summit to Deepen Central Asian Ties in Split-Screen With G-7

Bloomberg

23-05-17 21:30


Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to deepen China's influence in Central Asia by attending a meeting between the Beijing leadership and leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on Thursday in the Chinese city of Xi’an. Talks will be dominated by trade ties, regional security concerns and Russia’s war in Ukraine. The event will run in parallel with US President Joe Biden's meeting with G7 leaders in Japan, further highlighting the division between the Western-led order and China's increasing influence. The meeting is also expected to be used by Xi to reinforce China's Belt and Road initiative, which has lost strength recently. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson met with Joe Biden on Thursday to establish a more coordinated approach to China and Russia, in addition to ensuring increased global vaccine production, particularly in poorer nations, is achieved.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-17/xi-summit-to-deepen-central-asian-ties-in-split-screen-with-g-7?srnd=next-china
We renamed our son Putin and now we regret it, say family in Russia

Telegraph

23-05-17 20:00


A Russian family has asked for permission to change their son's name from Putin back to Rasul. The family renamed the boy Putin in honour of the president when he was one-and-a-half years old, but in an unexpected move asked registry officials in the town of Aleksandrov, 90km north-east of Moscow, to restore his original name. No reason for the request to change the boy's name has been given. His grandfather is a strong supporter of Putin.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/05/17/we-renamed-son-putin-and-now-we-regret-it-say-family-russia/
Central Asia leaders converge in China as Xi touts 'enduring' friendship

Reuters

23-05-18 03:29


China's President Xi Jinping is meeting with Central Asian heads of state in Xian for one-to-one discussions. The leaders will meet again on Friday for the first in-person gathering of the six leaders. A key focus is likely to be a regional pact with Beijing, which will pave the way for greater economic and political cooperation between China and Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. This is part of China's efforts to expand trade, particularly in oil and uranium and food, as well as increasing security in the Central Asia region. Two-way trade between China and Central Asia hit a record $70bn last year.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/central-asia-leaders-converge-china-xi-touts-enduring-friendship-2023-05-18/
As the U.S. Attends the G7, China Hosts a Summit of Its Own

NY Times

23-05-18 08:09


President Xi Jinping is hosting a two-day summit in Xi'an for the inaugural China-Central Asia summit, inviting leaders from five Central Asian countries to offset US “crusade” against them “with a new model of regional cooperation”. The move is part of China's broader aim to strengthen economic and political partnerships with like-minded countries to counter what it sees as a US-dominated world order, which is trying to contain and suppress China. The summit is also an opportunity for China to fill in the void left by Russia, which has seen its influence in the region decrease due to its war with Ukraine. The move is seen as symbolic, as the summit is taking place in Xi'an, the central Chinese city that was a key stop on the ancient Silk Road trade route that linked China with Central Asia and the Middle East for centuries.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/18/world/asia/china-central-asia-g7.html?searchResultPosition=5
G-7 Latest: Leaders Arrive With China, Russia at Top of Agenda

Bloomberg

23-05-18 07:45


Leaders from the Group of Seven countries arrived in Hiroshima this week for their annual summit, accompanied by representatives from India, Indonesia, South Korea, Vietnam, Brazil, Australia, Comoros and Cook Islands. Despite China and Russia not receiving an invitation, concerns about the two nations are still high on the agenda. Talks centred on what the G7 views as economic coercion by China, with a conclusion that developing nations in the Global South need to be engaged with.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-18/g-7-latest-leaders-arrive-with-china-russia-at-top-of-agenda?srnd=next-china
Leaders begin arriving in Japan for meeting of G-7 nations, with war in Ukraine high on the agenda

The Toronto Star

23-05-18 07:36


The Group of Seven (G7) summit has begun in Hiroshima, with world leaders including Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addressing the escalating conflict in Ukraine, Amid the talks there has been a spate of Russian air raids on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. The G7 is also expected to outline a collective strategy on China’s assertiveness, particularly in areas such as military expansionism and human rights violations in Xinjiang province, as well as discussing the risks of nuclear proliferation posed by North Korea and China.

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/asia/2023/05/18/leaders-begin-arriving-in-japan-for-meeting-of-g-7-nations-with-war-in-ukraine-high-on-the-agenda.html
China woos Central Asia as Ukraine war weakens Russian influence

CNN

23-05-18 07:21


Leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, are meeting in Xi’an, China, to discuss trade, regional stability and security. It is the first in-person meeting of the Central Asian heads of state together with China since the establishment of diplomatic relations after the fall of the Soviet Union. China hopes to expand its influence over the region, which has long been considered Russia’s sphere of influence. China presents these meetings with the Central Asian leaders as the “first major diplomatic activity” it has hosted this year and an opportunity to draw a “new blueprint” with the post-Soviet states that lie between its western borders, Europe and the Middle East. Beijing and Central Asian nations are expected to sign agreements on economic co-operation, as the region suffers from the knock-on economic effects of Russia's war in Ukraine. The leaders will also discuss security co-operation and ensuring stability in the wake of unrest and militant threats, with China seeking to ensure security but not take up Russia's broader regional security role.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/18/china/china-central-asian-states-summit-xian-xi-jinping-intl-hnk/index.html
China seeks to cement ties with Central Asia

South China Morning Post

23-05-18 14:15


China has promised to strengthen economic ties with Central Asia. President Xi Jinping met the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan at the China-Central Asia Summit, which is being held at the same time as the G7 summit in Japan. Central Asian countries are looking to Beijing as an alternative trade and security partner to Russia, and supported deeper engagement in the region and construction of China's flagship infrastructure plan, the Belt and Road Initiative.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3221060/china-seeks-cement-ties-central-asia-g7-discusses-plans-counter-beijings-economic-coercion
World Leaders Land in Hiroshima for G7 Meeting, With Ukraine War High on Agenda

Diplomat

23-05-18 16:50


Leaders from the G7 countries have arrived in Hiroshima for a meeting where Russia's war in Ukraine is expected to be high on the agenda. Ahead of talks with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on Thursday, US President Joe Biden remarked: "When our countries stand together, we stand stronger, and I believe the whole world is safer when we do.” Discussions regarding the battlefield in Ukraine and the state of play on sanctions are expected. Meanwhile, G7 leaders and guests from countries are also expected to discuss how to deal with the military buildup and growing assertiveness of China.

https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/world-leaders-land-in-hiroshima-for-g7-meeting-with-ukraine-war-high-on-agenda/
Your Friday Briefing: Dueling Summits

NY Times

23-05-18 21:04


China is trying to counter a US-dominated world order by hosting an inaugural summit with leaders of five former Soviet republics such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The high-profile event, which began on Thursday in Beijing, is taking place as G7 leaders, whose meeting also starts on Friday, are expected to address what the US sees as China’s growing assertiveness. China sees economic prosperity in Central Asia as a way of further stabilising its region of Xinjiang, which shares a border with Central Asian countries and is a source of concern. Series of attacks in the region have left at least a thousand people dead in recent years, which China blames on Islamic extremists and separatists. Experts say that by hosting the summit, China is also trying to fill some of the void left by Russia in Central Asia with Moscow's influence having weakened due to the war in Ukraine.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/18/briefing/g7-china-central-asia.html?searchResultPosition=2
China football boss ‘focused on solution’ as issues engulf the game

South China Morning Post

23-05-19 00:15


Chinese National Football Team Coach Aleksandar Jankovic has said he believes there may be an opportunity for Chinese players to grow stronger without foreign players in China's domestic football league. Foreign players have been leaving China due to financial difficulties and Covid-19 restrictions on travel. The country hosted the 2022 Asian Cup in June and July. Jankovic hopes this will be an opportunity to develop the country's football credentials. This is part of China’s preparations for a busy six-month period that sees the country host the Asian Games in September and October. It is a tournament in which Jankovic expects the under-23 team to compete for the gold medal.

https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3221025/china-football-boss-focused-solution-issues-engulf-game-every-big-problem-hides-small-advantage
China’s Xi meets Central Asian leaders, calls for trade, energy development

Associated Press

23-05-19 05:29


As Beijing's influence grows, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has pledged to build more railway and bolster China's oil and gas footing in Central Asia. Speaking at a summit attended by leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, Xi said there was a need to "expand economic and trade ties". The move follows China's ongoing creation of trade-related infrastructure in the former Soviet states under its Belt and Road Initiative. The projects have alarmed Russia, which views the region as its sphere of influence, but officials from Central Asia see China as an important market.

https://apnews.com/article/china-central-asia-energy-terrorism-security-f20090e0bacf961d0c87d50f1bcbd052
China can help Central Asian ‘brethren’ to unite, Xi Jinping tells Xian summit

South China Morning Post

23-05-19 04:50


China has pledged $3.7bn in financial support to aid the development of Central Asia. President Xi Jinping called for central Asia to unite to build itself as the bridge connecting Asia and Europe. Speaking at the first in-person meeting of its kind since Beijing established diplomatic relations with the five newly independent countries in 1992, he said the world needs a harmonious Central Asia and pledged to expand trade and economic cooperation with the region, deepen connectivity and expand energy cooperation. Central Asia should become an important interconnection hub in Asia and Europe, he said. The region is also viewed as critical in maintaining stability in Xinjiang, where the treatment of Uighur Muslims has been among the most contentious issues between China and the West. Xi's speech coincided with his hosting of leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan at the inaugural China-Central Asia Summit in Xi’an.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3221093/china-can-help-central-asian-brethren-unite-xi-jinping-tells-xian-summit
Xi Jinping: China, Central Asia must 'unleash potential'

Deutsche Welle

23-05-19 09:21


Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced he will build trade links between China and Central Asia as well as develop oil and gas projects in the region, pledging $3.8bn of financing and grant support at a summit in Xian attended by the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Although many of these neighbours remain deeply suspicious of China’s intentions, Central Asia is a crucial region for China's Belt and Road Initiative and the building of alternative routes for trade in case of any disruptions elsewhere.

https://www.dw.com/en/xi-jinping-china-central-asia-must-unleash-potential/a-65675084
China pulls on Tang dynasty Silk Road ties to secure central Asian future

South China Morning Post

23-05-19 08:57


Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed five Central Asian leaders for a summit that began in Xi'an on Thursday, with a banquet and performances inspired by the Tang dynasty. The city, which was the imperial capital for much of the dynasty, hosted the summit as China seeks to present itself as the economic partner of choice for the region. While the main focus of the G7 summit taking place in Japan is likely to be China, its unspoken interest in central Asia is seen as a counter to the West. The summed continues today.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3221147/china-pulls-tang-dynasty-silk-road-ties-help-secure-central-asian-future