evidence: 1920 - Kazakhstan becomes an autonomous republic of the USSR. Until 1925 it is called the Kyrgyz Autonomous Province to distinguish its people from the Cossacks. [...] 1991 - Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan declares itself an independent state. Nursultan Nazarbayev wins uncontested presidential elections. [...] Kazakhstan joins China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in launching the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).