China backs Kazakhstans crackdown on protests, says it will bring peace

China has endorsed Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s brutal crackdown on demonstrators, expressing optimism that the “strong measures” will bring peace to the country.

Also read: Explained: What’s behind unrest rocking oil-rich Kazakhstan

President Xi Jinping stated that China is adamantly opposed to foreign forces inciting instability and initiating a “colour revolution” in Kazakhstan. In a message to Kazakhstan’s counterpart, state broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi as stating, China is willing to provide necessary support and help Kazakhstan through this difficult period.

In the confrontations in Kazakhstan over rising fuel prices, dissatisfaction with living standards, and pervasive corruption, an unknown number of people died. Police reported 26 protestors and 18 officers were killed, down from a previous estimate of “dozens.” Tokayev had promised to respond “harshly” to the nation’s biggest challenge to its leadership since its 1991 independence.

Also read: Russia-led alliance sending peacekeepers to Kazakhstan to help quell protests

“China supports all efforts that help the Kazakh authorities end the chaos as soon as possible and firmly opposes external forces’ acts to deliberately create social unrest and incite violence,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Friday at a routine press briefing in Beijing. 

He went on to say that China, as a “brotherly neighbour,” would assist Kazakhstan in whatever way it needed.

Tokayev has blamed the disturbance on unknown foreign forces, and has gone so far as to request soldiers from Russia and other members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. He has vowed to keep fighting what he refers to as “terrorists.”

Also read: Kazakhstan protests: Government resigns, emergency declared, internet shut down

Kazakstan declared a state of emergency, and much of the country’s internet was shut down. The central bank was forced to temporarily cease financial market activities due to the turmoil. 

Following days of violent protests around the country, Kazakhstan’s government officially stepped down on Tuesday, following a rapid and abrupt jump in fuel prices that sparked the national crisis.