AP, NUR-SULTANUS Secretary of State Mike Pompeo yesterday pressed Kazakhstan to be wary of Chinese investment and influence, urging the Central Asian nation and others to join calls demanding an end to China’s repression of minorities. Pompeo began his brief visit to the country by meeting with ethnic Kazakhs whose families have gone missing or been detained in China’s widespread crackdown on Muslims and other ethnic and religious minorities in its western Xinjiang region. Pompeo also congratulated Kazakhstan on its repatriation of Islamic State fighters from Iraq and Syria. Kazakhstan has taken back nearly 600 fighters and family members detained in areas formerly controlled by the group. In addition, Pompeo urged senior Kazakh officials to continue reforms that would allow greater US investment in the country.

Source: Taipei Times February 02, 2020 15:56 UTC