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Kazakhstan

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Kazakhstan. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Astana

Head of State

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

Head of Government

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, July 3, 2024. Photo: AP

China-Russia relations

China pushes regional finance bank as Russia pivots to Asia: analysts

Beijing’s bid to deepen Eurasian economic integration gains momentum as Western pressure forces Moscow to recalibrate, analysts say.

1 hour agovideocam

Central Asia

China and Central Asian leaders cap summit with friendship pact and aid pledge

2 hours agovideocam

Diplomacy

Xi boosts China ties in resource-rich Central Asia

6 hours ago

Central Asia

Xi Jinping heads to energy-rich Kazakhstan for China-Central Asia summit

Xi is looking to foster solidarity with his counterparts against unilateralism and protectionism.

5 hours agovideocam

Central Asia

Xi to meet Central Asian leaders as both sides seek ‘stronger coordination’

Summit in Kazakhstan expected to focus on transport, energy, security governance, digital economy and green transition, analysts say.

15 Jun 2025 - 10:00PMvideocam

Russia

Thanks to Trump, Russians see Germany, not US, as most hostile country: poll

Belarus topped the list of friendliest countries, followed by China, Kazakhstan, India and North Korea.

8 Jun 2025 - 4:53AMvideocam

Middle East

Opec+ agrees on sharp increase in July oil production to deepen price slump

The organisation will raise output by 411,000 barrels a day for the third month in a row, as it doubles down on policy shift.

31 May 2025 - 7:25PM

People stand outside the building headquarters of Opec in Vienna, Austria on May 28. Photo: AFP

Central Asia

Opinion | Why countries cannot afford to turn inward on climate security

While Kazakhstan is taking steps towards mitigating climate change’s effects, the world needs major actors to step up and lead the way.

25 May 2025 - 4:38PM

United States

President Xi Jinping’s foreign travel

Chinese President Xi Jinping has visited 69 countries since taking office in 2013.

8 May 2025 - 5:30PM

Science

How French technology could reduce China’s reliance on imported aluminium ore

A plant in Shanxi is being upgraded so that it can produce aluminium from low-grade bauxite that was previously unusable.

7 May 2025 - 9:00AM

The first full-scale IB2 unit at the Shanxi plant is expected to be operating at industrial scale from July, according to the French firm. Photo: Handout

China-Russia relations

Opinion | How China became central to Russia’s Victory Day parade

Russia may have hoped to send the message that it is not isolated but the event’s list of expected attendees is not entirely convincing.

6 May 2025 - 8:30PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin at the military parade on Victory Day, which marks the 78th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2023. Photo: Sputnik/ Pool via Reuters

China-Russia relations

Opinion | Russia-China division of power in Central Asia is wearing thin

While Russia held a near monopoly over weapons sales in the region, the war in Ukraine has changed this, offering China an opening.

30 Apr 2025 - 9:53AM

United States

Oldest active Nasa astronaut turns 70 after 220 days in space

Don Pettit returned to Earth on Sunday, the day of his milestone birthday, in a Soyuz capsule with two Russian cosmonauts.

21 Apr 2025 - 3:38PM

Commodities

Will the free-falling oil price reorder the world’s energy landscape?

Brent crude, the global benchmark, tumbled 13 per cent through Thursday and Friday to just over US$66 a barrel.

5 Apr 2025 - 11:54AM

A trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at the opening bell in New York City, on April 2, 2025. Photo: AFP

Electric & new energy vehicles

Exclusive | Why does a Kazakh tycoon want to ride China’s electric vehicle wave?

‘We are a natural partner for China, especially in the growing EV sector,’ says Kenges Rakishev, chairman of the Fincraft Group.

10 Mar 2025 - 10:46AM

Kenges Rakishev, chairman of the Fincraft Group. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | How Hong Kong can seize opportunities along Silk Road Economic Belt

By deepening cooperation, the city can leverage its unique brand and core advantages to help businesses uncover new areas for growth.

23 Feb 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

ATP

Hong Kong Coleman Wong takes step closer to Australian Open main draw after plucky win

The 20-year-old edges past Dmitry Popko but has 2 more qualifying rounds to get through to become first Hongkonger to play at Melbourne Park.

7 Jan 2025 - 6:46PM

Global South

Opinion | As West cuts global aid, emerging powers must step up and contribute

Emerging donors from developing nations with significant economic growth should play a bigger role. Kazakhstan is doing so in Central Asia.

5 Jan 2025 - 5:30AM

Afghan people carry food rations distributed by an Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority programme to support families impacted by natural disasters, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on January 1. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that 22.9 million people in Afghanistan will require humanitarian aid in 2025. Photo: EPA-EFE

Aviation accidents

Azerbaijan’ president demands Russia admits to shooting at plane before crash

Ilham Aliyev accused Moscow of initially trying to cover up cause of the fatal disaster that killed 38 of the 67 people on board.

30 Dec 2024 - 2:45AMvideocam

Aviation accidents

‘I thought the plane was going to fall apart’: survivors recall Azeri jet crash

‘He (the captain) warned that there would be a hard landing and asked us to be ready and prepare the passengers,’ a flight attendant said.

28 Dec 2024 - 9:20AMvideocam

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, US officials: plane that crashed may have been hit by weapons fire

Assessments echoed those made by outside aviation experts who blamed Wednesday’s crash on Russia.

28 Dec 2024 - 7:41AMvideocam

Emergency specialists work at the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near the western Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday. Photo: AFP / Getty Images / TNS

Central Asia

Azerbaijan plane crashed ‘due to physical and technical external interference’

Four sources with knowledge of the preliminary findings of the investigation had said Russian air defences had mistakenly shot it down.

27 Dec 2024 - 9:19PMvideocam

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan Airlines hails ‘heroism’ of dead pilots for saving 29 lives in crash

The carrier’s president said the crew’s ‘prioritisation of human life have immortalised their names in history’.

27 Dec 2024 - 1:17PMvideocam

Video | Russian missile may have downed Azerbaijani plane

One Azerbaijani source said Baku expects Russia ‘to confess’ to shooting down the plane

27 Dec 2024 - 1:01PM

Central Asia

Azerbaijan believes missile downed plane, Russia warns against ‘hypotheses’

38 people died in Wednesday’s crash in Kazakhstan. Azerbaijani source said Baku expects Russia ‘to confess’ to shooting down the plane.

27 Dec 2024 - 1:04PMvideocam

Rescuers transport a wounded passenger from a medical plane at Zhukovsky airport outside Moscow, after the Azerbaijani Airline crashed. Photo: via AP

Aviation accidents

Azerbaijani plane crashes in Kazakhstan, killing 38 and injuring 29

The aircraft, which was carrying 67 people, was diverted from an area of Russia that Moscow recently defended against Ukrainian drones.

26 Dec 2024 - 1:26PMvideocam

A drone view shows the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan. Photo: Reuters

Belt and Road Initiative

Opinion | Hong Kong and Xinjiang could be the core of Kazakhstan’s China strategy

As the centre of global economic activity shifts from West to East, strengthening ties with China will remain one of Kazakhstan’s top priorities.

16 Dec 2024 - 10:53AM

Belt and Road Initiative

Opinion | Why China’s outreach to Central Asia will only grow

Amid increasing investments and a greater emphasis on security, China’s presence in Central Asia differs from its outreach to other regions.

11 Dec 2024 - 5:44PMvideocam

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