Importance of China's neighborhood

In April, a series of large-scale riots broke out in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, and other cities and regions of the Central Asian country. Tens of thousands of opposition supporters took to the streets, clashed with security forces, toppled local governments and seized the central government's headquarters in Bishkek. Subsequently, the opposition proclaimed a new interim government led by Roza Otunbayeva, the former foreign minister. It is reported that Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the ousted president, has resigned, parliament has been dissolved and the military has agreed to cooperate with the opposition (which now is in power).

Some of China's neighboring countries have encountered considerable political fluctuations, even political turbulence. Take South Asia for example. The US has reinforced its presence in Afghanistan, even though tension between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the occupation (NATO) forces is rising. Pakistan has been rocked by frequent, bloody terrorist attacks. And anti-government forces have attacked Indian security forces' camps in interior areas, resulting in heavy casualties.

In Southeast Asia, Thailand is still caught in a political tumult, with pro-government and anti-government protesters taking to the streets in turn or at the same time, and the new round of peaceful negotiation has reportedly reached a deadlock. In Myanmar, the military government is eager to further "mop up" local armed forces in its northern ethnic minority areas before the "general election".