Land ownership remains a critical political issue, even more so when it is the Chinese who are expanding their land ownership in CEntral Asian states. The article starts with:
One topic guaranteed to inflame passions in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan is land and China. China has taken land from Central Asia and farmers from China are already working rented fields in Central Asia and that has not sat well with locals. It's playing a role in the recent widespread protests in Kazakhstan. Personally I'm inclined to agree with those who see Kazakhstan as a simmering pot at the moment. There are many issues right now that are causing discontent in Kazakhstan.
Link:http://www.rferl.org/content/central.../27711366.html