Our People > Sergey Kwan

Sergey Kwan

Journalist

Sergey Kwan has worked for The Times of Central Asia as a journalist, translator and editor since its foundation in March 1999. Prior to this, from 1996-1997, he worked as a translator at The Kyrgyzstan Chronicle, and from 1997-1999, as a translator at The Central Asian Post. divider Kwan studied at the Bishkek Polytechnic Institute from 1990-1994, before completing his training in print journalism in Denmark.

Articles

China Air Silk Road New Air Route Economic relations

Kyrgyzstan and China to Launch New Air Route as Part of Air Silk Road

Kyrgyzstan’s State Civil Aviation Agency has reached an agreement with China’s aviation authorities to open a new air route to Kashgar, located in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This will become the second direct air link between Central Asia and western China. According to the agency, the route will form part of the broader Air Silk Road initiative, an economic air corridor designed to facilitate freight and passenger connectivity between China and Europe. The new link is expected to significantly improve logistics, enhance flight safety, and create fresh opportunities for both cargo and passenger transportation across the region. The planned route is also anticipated to deepen Kyrgyzstan’s trade and economic relations with China, stimulate tourism, and further integrate the country into the international aviation network. The Air Silk Road, launched in 2014, is a component of China’s broader Belt and Road Initiative. Initially focused on air freight, the corridor now connects more than 100 cities in over 20 countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

14 minutes ago

Transit Hub Chinese exports Initiatives cross-border bridge Dostyk-Moiynty railway

Kazakhstan Expands Role as Key Transit Hub for Chinese Exports to Europe

The inaugural Kazakhstan-China Transport Forum, held in Astana on May 15, unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at solidifying Kazakhstan’s position as a major transport and logistics hub for Chinese exports to Russia and Europe. At the forum, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev and China’s Minister of Transport Liu Wei discussed the development of a new multimodal transit corridor linking Russia, Kazakhstan, and China. The route will utilize the transboundary Irtysh River, as well as the Ili River, establishing a navigable link from the Kazakh city of Kunayev to Yining in China’s Xinjiang region. Key infrastructure plans include the construction of a new cross-border bridge at the Maykapshagay-Zimunay checkpoint to accommodate heavy trucks and the opening of a third international air corridor between the two countries. The ministers also discussed establishing two new road checkpoints to better connect East Kazakhstan and the Almaty regions with China. By the end of 2025, Kazakhstan aims to complete two major rail infrastructure projects: the second track on the Dostyk-Moiynty railway and a bypass line around Almaty station. These upgrades are expected to significantly boost freight capacity and cut cargo transit times between China and Europe via Kazakhstan. Additional developments include the launch of a direct passenger train between Almaty and Xi'an and an expansion of flight services between the two nations to 65 per week. Meanwhile, construction is underway on a new container hub at the Caspian Sea port of Aktau, a joint venture with a Chinese company. Scheduled for completion by year’s end, the facility will expand the port’s annual capacity from 140,000 to 240,000 TEUs. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport reports that in the first quarter of 2025, road freight volumes between Kazakhstan and China surged by 82%, reaching 822,000 tons. Rail freight volumes grew by 13% over the first four months of the year, totaling 11.4 million tons. These developments highlight Kazakhstan’s growing strategic importance in transcontinental logistics, as China continues to diversify its export routes westward.

3 days ago

Import Honey

China Becomes Largest Importer of Kyrgyz Honey

In the first four months of 2025, Kyrgyzstan exported 143.7 tons of honey, a 47% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry. China emerged as the leading importer, purchasing 82.1 tons of Kyrgyz honey. Other major destinations included the United Arab Emirates (24.5 tons), Uzbekistan (15.1 tons), Qatar (6.3 tons), and Kuwait (4.6 tons). Meanwhile, honey imports into Kyrgyzstan have virtually ceased. Only 0.5 tons were imported in 2025, a dramatic drop from 44.8 tons the previous year. The ministry attributed this decline to robust domestic production and growing consumer confidence in local honey. EU Market Prospects Kyrgyz honey is expected to be included in the European Union’s product registry by early 2025. To gain access to the EU market, Kyrgyz authorities submitted a residue monitoring plan to the European Commission, a required step for export approval. Renowned for its flavor and health benefits, Kyrgyz honey owes its distinctive quality to the diverse herbs found in the country's mountainous regions. International Attention At EXPO 2025 in the Japanese city of Osaka, Kyrgyz honey drew significant attention. Nazim Baibosunov, a representative of the Kyrgyz diaspora in Japan, noted that the product created a stir on the opening day. One incident underscored its popularity: an 83-year-old Japanese man attempted to steal a jar of Kyrgyz honey on display. According to Japanese media, this marked the first reported theft and subsequent arrest at the exhibition.

5 days ago

Construction Airports Jalal-Abad International Airport

Kyrgyzstan Begins Construction of New Jalal-Abad International Airport

On May 13, President Sadyr Japarov laid the foundation stone for a new international airport in Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan’s third-largest city. The new airport will span over 380 hectares and include a two-story passenger terminal covering 10,000 square meters, with the capacity to handle 350 passengers per hour. Its airfield infrastructure will meet international standards, featuring a 3,800-meter runway and six aircraft parking bays. The facility will accommodate both passenger and cargo aircraft, including Boeing 737, Airbus A320, and A321 models. Unlike a renovation of the existing facility, the project entails entirely new construction. The current Jalal-Abad airport dates back to 1938, originally serving as an airfield, with a terminal building and asphalt runway added in 1972. Boosting Air Infrastructure At the groundbreaking ceremony, Japarov emphasized the rising demand for both domestic and international flights, underscoring the need to expand the country's airport infrastructure. “Since 2021, Kyrgyzstan has increased passenger traffic by 46% and the number of flights by 31%. New aircraft have been acquired, and previously idle regional airports have resumed operations,” he said. He also noted that the newly established Asman Airlines has restored all domestic routes, linking the capital, Bishkek, with Talas, Karakol, and Kerben. In 2024, the airline added two Canadian-made Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 short-haul aircraft to its fleet for domestic service. Regional Impact Japarov stated that the new Jalal-Abad International Airport would enhance logistics, trade, tourism, and investment across the Fergana Valley, a region shared by Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. This project is part of Kyrgyzstan’s broader strategy to modernize its aviation infrastructure. In February 2025, construction began on a new airport complex at Osh International Airport, located in the country’s second-largest city. Kyrgyzstan has also recently inaugurated Karakol International Airport and Talas Airport. Reconstruction efforts are currently underway at Issyk-Kul International Airport and Naryn Airport.

5 days ago

Climbing Everest Asel Baibagysheva First Kyrgyz Woman Mountain Climbing

Asel Baibagysheva Becomes First Kyrgyz Woman to Climb Everest

Asel Baibagysheva has made history as the first Kyrgyz woman to reach the top of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. She reached the 8,849-meter summit on May 11, and safely descended to base camp the following day, planting the Kyrgyz national flag at the top of the world. Baibagysheva’s achievement was swiftly recognized by Kyrgyzstan’s leadership. On May 12, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliyev personally congratulated her via video link. “On behalf of the President, the Cabinet of Ministers, and myself, please accept my heartfelt congratulations on this historic ascent,” he said. “Your success is an inspiring example for everyone, demonstrating the ability of Kyrgyzstanis to reach any height. It fills us with pride in our country.” Kasymaliyev praised Baibagysheva for her courage, resilience, and high level of professionalism, noting that completing the climb in 54 hours was not only a personal milestone but also a moment of national significance. Baibagysheva responded by expressing her sense of responsibility in representing Kyrgyzstan on Everest. “I felt a special duty to my country with every step I took toward the summit,” she said. With eight years of mountaineering experience, Baibagysheva has previously summited some of the most challenging peaks in Kyrgyzstan and beyond. Her accomplishments include Lenin Peak (7,134 m), Khan Tengri (7,010 m), and Pobeda Peak (7,439 m) in Kyrgyzstan, as well as Mount Elbrus (5,642 m) in Russia’s Caucasus region. She was also the first Kyrgyz woman to climb Manaslu in Nepal, the world’s eighth highest mountain, reaching its 8,163-meter summit. Baibagysheva now joins an elite group of Kyrgyz climbers who have reached Everest. Eduard Kubatov became the second Kyrgyz man to summit Everest in May 2021, following in the footsteps of Dmitry Grekov, who achieved the feat in 1997.

6 days ago