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Vagit Ismailov

Journalist

Vagit Ismailov is a Kazakhstani journalist. He has worked in leading regional and national publications.

Articles

Tourism China international tourism tourism industry

Kazakhstan Named Most Promising Destination for Chinese Travelers

Kazakhstan has affirmed its credentials as a tourist destination for Chinese travelers, receiving the award for “Most Promising New Destination of 2025” from Tongcheng Travel, China's largest online travel agency. Demand for travel to Kazakhstan surged by 300% year-on-year in 2024, according to Tongcheng. This growth trend is expected to continue in 2025, fueled in part by the Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China. During this campaign, the number of tourists from China increased by 78%, reaching 655,000 visitors. Kazakhstan’s natural diversity, historical landmarks, and rich cultural heritage have proven to be major draws for Chinese travelers. “We have recorded a two-fold increase in the number of tourists from China and intend to maintain this positive dynamic. Our cooperation with leading Chinese platforms will expand,” said Kairat Sadvakasov, Chairman of Kazakh Tourism. Kazakhstan’s appeal as a tourist destination extends beyond China. Western travel journalists have also acknowledged the country’s potential. The British publication Lonely Planet included Kazakhstan in its list of the best travel destinations for 2024, whilst CNN Travel named Almaty as one of the top tourist destinations for 2025. These accolades reflect Kazakhstan’s efforts to establish itself as a major global tourism hub, leveraging its unique natural beauty and cultural heritage to attract visitors from around the world. Kazakhstan’s recognition by Tongcheng Travel underscores its growing reputation in the Chinese market, which has immense potential given the scale of outbound tourism from China. By fostering partnerships with major Chinese platforms and continuing to promote its diverse offerings, Kazakhstan is poised to solidify its position as a leading destination for travelers in the region.

1 week ago

Corruption Crime Court Cases Criminal Responsibility

Former Kyrgyz Presidential Aide Detained in Moldova

Aidar Khalikov, a former public aide to the president of Kyrgyzstan, has been detained in Moldova under an Interpol warrant on charges of large-scale fraud. Investigative journalist Bolot Temirov was the first to report Khalikov's detention, raising the possibility of his extradition to Kyrgyzstan. The report was later confirmed by the General Inspectorate for Migration under Moldova’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to their statement, the detention was carried out as part of efforts to locate individuals wanted internationally for evading criminal responsibility. Charges Against Khalikov The Kyrgyz Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that Khalikov, born in 1965, is being prosecuted under Article 209 of the Kyrgyz Criminal Code, which pertains to fraud. He is accused of stealing a significant sum of money from a Kyrgyz citizen identified solely as S.D. Investigators suspect Khalikov may also be involved in other similar crimes. The General Prosecutor’s Office of Kyrgyzstan is now working on his extradition. Background Khalikov was a prominent member of the "Mekenchil" party and played an active role in Kyrgyzstan's political landscape, particularly during the political upheavals of 2020. Following those events, he was appointed as an aide to President Sadyr Japarov. However, in 2024, Khalikov left Kyrgyzstan and began publicly criticizing Japarov and his inner circle. Khalikov’s arrest in Moldova underscores ongoing efforts by the Kyrgyz authorities to track and prosecute high-profile individuals facing criminal charges. His extradition process will likely attract significant attention in both Kyrgyzstan and Moldova in the coming weeks.

1 week ago

Art and Literature International Cooperation Cultural Heritage History

Uzbekistan Receives Historic Manuscript Copies from Malaysia

Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage will soon be added to with facsimile copies of ancient manuscripts provided by Malaysia. This initiative is part of a collaboration between the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan and Malaysia’s International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization. During a recent visit to Malaysia by an Uzbek delegation, the Center’s Director, Firdavs Abdukhalikov, received copies of two invaluable works: Abu Rayhan Beruni's At-Tafhim and Abulkasim Firdavsi's Shahnameh, both transcribed during the Timurid era. Abdukhalikov believes this initiative aligns with broader efforts to promote humanitarian values and preserve Uzbekistan’s historical heritage. “The copies of manuscripts received today will further enrich the exposition of our center,” he stated. Beruni’s At-Tafhim, originally transcribed in 1197, holds immense significance for world science. Meanwhile, the Timurid-era transcription of Firdavsi’s Shahnameh, produced in the 15th century, reflects the traditions of book printing from that period and showcases the distinctive features of Kamoliddin Behzod’s renowned school of miniature painting. These manuscripts will be displayed at the Center for Islamic Civilization, which was established eight years ago to celebrate the contributions of Uzbek scholars to global civilization and to preserve the nation’s rich cultural legacy.

2 weeks ago

Social Media Legislation Supreme Court Social protection Censorship

Uzbekistan Adds to List of Banned Extremist Content

The Supreme Court of Uzbekistan has significantly expanded its list of materials classified as extremist, terrorist, or fanatical, prohibiting their import, production, distribution, and display within the country. Compared to last year’s version, which included over 800 items, the updated list now features 1,389 banned materials in audio, video, and text formats. The list has grown considerably across social media platforms: 203 Facebook pages (up from approximately 150); 713 Telegram channels (almost doubling from 400); 226 Instagram accounts (previously around 100); 135 YouTube channels; 35 Odnoklassniki pages; 44 TikTok pages; 13 websites; and 20 other sources. The identification of these materials is a joint effort by the Committee on Religious Affairs, the State Security Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Agency for Information and Mass Communications. Legal Framework Under Uzbekistan’s Law on Countering Extremism, the distribution, storage, or demonstration of such materials is strictly prohibited, and access to them must be restricted. Violations of these provisions may result in criminal liability under the nation’s Criminal Code, as they pose a threat to public security and order. Historical Context Uzbekistan has steadily tightened its measures to combat extremist content. In 2018, the government adopted a decree allowing the blocking of media outlets that “promote extremist, propaganda, or hateful content on the Internet”. The following year, the Ministry of Justice published a list of 40 information resources identified as extremist. Subsequent updates to the list have reflected the government’s evolving focus on countering online extremism.

2 weeks ago

Court Cases Deportation student incident Crime India Education

Indian Students Involved in New Year’s Eve Brawl Deported from Kazakhstan

Six Indian students have been deported from Kazakhstan following their involvement in a mass brawl in Almaty on New Year’s Eve. The students, enrolled at a university in Almaty, were the only individuals implicated in the altercation, with no Kazakh citizens involved. "This was an internal conflict among the students," Kazakhstan’s Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek commented. "The Almaty Police Department is conducting an investigation. We have discussed the matter with the Indian Embassy and reached a joint decision to deport the students." The altercation occurred at a café on Kok-Tobe, a popular mountain destination in Almaty. What began as a quarrel between the students escalated into a violent mass brawl, with video footage showing participants wielding chairs, tables, and batons. The footage quickly circulated online, drawing public attention to the incident. According to the Almaty Police Department, all individuals involved in the fight were identified and taken to the Medeusky District Police Department for questioning.

2 weeks ago