China, Kazakhstan ink eight cooperation agreements at Astana business forum

The China-Kazakhstan business forum, held in Astana on Tuesday, saw the signing of eight cooperation agreements, as reported by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

The forum, themed “Further Expanding China-Kazakhstan Trade and Industrial Cooperation,” attracted over 200 representatives from the business communities of both countries.

During their four-day trip to Kazakhstan, the Chinese delegation engaged in discussions with Kazakh representatives on key cooperation areas, including oil and gas trade, clean energy, agricultural collaboration, and international logistics.

The eight agreements signed on-site included a strategic energy cooperation agreement and an agricultural product import-export agreement.

“We have a long-standing and excellent cooperative foundation with Kazakh energy companies. We eagerly anticipate strengthening collaboration across value chains, supply chains, and production chains with Kazakh businesses under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative,” said Wan Yang, deputy general manager of Sinochem London.

“Digital transformation, agricultural cooperation, environmental protection and new energy, and high-end manufacturing represent areas of great potential for future China-Kazakhstan cooperation. We hope this trip will facilitate deeper exchanges with Kazakh entrepreneurs and further expand our collaborative horizons,” said Xu Wei, deputy general manager of Strategy and Investment Management Department of CITIC Group.

Co-hosted by CCPIT and the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan “Atameken”, the forum underscored the mutual desire for expanded trade and economic ties between the two nations.

“Chinese and Kazakh businesses both attached great importance to this forum, showing the solid foundation for economic and trade cooperation and the strong desire for collaboration between our enterprises,” said Xu Jinli, director of bilateral cooperation department of China Chamber of International Commerce.

Bilateral trade between China and Kazakhstan exceeded 43.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, up 6.8 percent year on year. By the end of the year, China’s direct investment stock in Kazakhstan across all sectors reached 8.66 billion U.S. dollars.

Kazakh participants expressed confidence that with China already a major trading partner for Kazakhstan, both sides will cultivate new growth areas in critical minerals, new energy, and the digital economy.

China, Kazakhstan ink eight cooperation agreements at Astana business forum

Russia claimed on Friday that its forces had taken control of six more settlements in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, while Ukraine, on the same day, reported repelling multiple Russian attacks along the frontlines.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said over the past week, its forces had captured six settlements in Donetsk, and launched strikes targeting key energy infrastructure supporting Ukraine’s military-industrial sector, along with other infrastructure, including ammunition and fuel depots, and military airports.

In addition, the Russian forces intercepted multiple Ukrainian rockets, aerial bombs and hundreds of drones, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that as of Friday afternoon, dozens of battles had occurred across the front lines, with the fiercest fighting taking place around Pokrovsk.

The Ukrainian military successfully halted Russian advances and repelled multiple Russian attacks, the Ukrainian side said.

Russia seizes six more settlements in Donetsk, Ukraine reports repelling multiple Russian attacks