Latest News

China supports Kazakhstan signing up with BRICS, eyes energy reserves

China's President Xi Jinping said he supports Kazakhstan joining the BRICS bloc, Chinese state media reported on Wednesday, as the group of developing countries mulls additional expansion to rival a Westerndominated world order it views as outdated.

Speaking to journalism together with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev following a meeting in the Main Asian state's capital, Xi encouraged Kazakhstan to play the role of a. middle power on the international phase and make its due. contribution to worldwide governance, while endorsing Astana's. accession.

China and Russia are promoting the expansion of the BRICS. grouping, which likewise consists of Brazil, India and South Africa, as. they look for to counter Western financial supremacy.

Initially an acronym created by Goldman Sachs chief. financial expert Jim O'Neill in 2001, the bloc was founded as an. informal four-nation club in 2009 and included South Africa a year. later on.

Last August, the BRICS bloc accepted confess Saudi Arabia,. Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. However,. Saudi Arabia has not yet joined the group.

Argentina had prepared to sign up with BRICS, but President Javier. Milei withdrew his nation right after taking workplace in December.

Xi is in Kazakhstan to participate in a presidents meeting of. the Shanghai Cooperation Company from July 3-4.

Throughout his meeting with Tokayev, China and Kazakhstan likewise. agreed to double their two-way trade as quickly as possible and. deepen cooperation in oil and gas exploration, extraction and. processing, the report added.

Crude oil and petroleum gases comprised the bulk of. Kazakhstan's exports to China in 2015, according to United. Nations COMTRADE data, with outbound shipments to the world's. No. 2 economy worth $3.8 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively. As such, Xi and Tokayev consented to take steps to guarantee the. long-lasting, safe and steady operation of the petroleum pipeline. running in between their respective nations and the Kazakhstan. section of the China-Central Asia gas pipeline running. from China's Xinjiang area to Turkmenistan, the report said.

The two leaders also vowed to strengthen cooperation in. clean energy, including wind, solar and nuclear power, with. Chinese companies stepping in to help update Kazakhstan's. energy grid and power stations.

Chinese companies have actually invested $9.5 billion in Kazakhstan since. Xi initially proposed his flagship Belt and Roadway Effort during a. state check out in 2013, data from the American Enterprise Institute. believe tank programs, nearly all of which has actually been in the state's. petroleum or atomic energy industries.

(source: Reuters)