Bloodless Kyrgyz presidential election has China and Russia smiling

First elections untainted by violence or foreign interference

People cast their ballots in the presidential election in Kyrgyzstan Oct. 15. This was the first instance of a non-violent, democratic transfer of power in the country.

EIJI FURUKAWA, Nikkei staff writer

October 21, 2017 18:15 JST

MOSCOW -- China and Russia may be competing for influence in Central Asia, but neither will be disappointed with the outcome of Kyrgyzstan's recent presidential election.

Former Prime Minister Sooronbai Jeenbekov won the Oct. 15 poll, marking the country's first ever democratic transfer of power.