Why Didn't China Send Troops to Aid Kazakhstan?
Kazakh soldiers patrol near an administrative building in central Almaty on Jan. 10.
Photographer: Alexandr Bogdanov/AFP/Getty Images
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Beijing (AP) -- China gave strong verbal backing to Kazakhstan’s leader for his deadly crackdown to quell violent unrest, but stood aside as Russia sent in special forces troops.
Resource-rich Kazakhstan, on China's western border, has economic and strategic importance for Beijing and is an important link in its “Belt and Road" infrastructure initiative to expand its global trade and political influence in rivalry with the U.S. and its allies.