China pursues a $2 billion Uzbek mining investment while deepening nuclear cooperation with Kazakhstan, accelerating its Central Asia engagement
Executive summary: Wang Hongzhi visited Kazakhstan to launch the Kazakhstan-China Joint Working Group on Civil Nuclear Energy, approving a protocol for future nuclear cooperation; concurrently, China is reported to be considering a $2 billion mining bet in Uzbekistan. These initiatives underscore China's push to lock in critical energy and mineral supplies and strengthen strategic footholds in Central Asia amid growing competition from other global powers. China's National Energy Administration (led by Wang Hongzhi), Kazakh government officials overseeing nuclear energy, and implied Uzbek stakeholders and potential mining partners. Formal negotiation and signing of the Uzbek mining agreement, follow‑up projects under the nuclear cooperation protocol, and possible additional infrastructure or investment announcements in the region.
The head of China’s National Energy Administration, Wang Hongzhi, visited Kazakhstan for the inaugural meeting of the Kazakhstan-China Joint Working Group on Civil Nuclear Energy, where a cooperation protocol was approved. At the same time, news reports indicate China is eyeing a roughly $2 billion investment in Uzbekistan’s mining sector. Together, these moves signal a broader strategy to secure energy and mineral resources and expand political influence across Central Asia.
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