Kazakhstan proposes to China expand grain procurement to build strategic reserves
¬ Kazakhstan and China advance joint geological exploration project "Zhylyoi" in the Caspian Sea
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On Saturday, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture announced that Kazakhstan has proposed to China increase procurement of grains and oilseed crops for building strategic reserves.
Nazgul Khatipova, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, attended the 8th China Grain Trading Conference and held talks with Liu Huanxin, Director of China's National Food and Material Reserve Administration (NAFRA).
The announcement stated: "The deputy minister put forward a series of suggestions to China… including expanding the list of mutual supply goods and increasing procurement of grains and oilseed crops for building China’s strategic reserves."
The Ministry of Agriculture noted that during the talks, both sides also discussed attracting Chinese investment into agricultural product storage and processing projects, as well as developing agricultural logistics.
Citing Khatipova, the announcement said: "China is one of the key strategic partners for Kazakhstan in the agro-industrial sector… We are committed to systematic cooperation to ensure stable demand for our products and open new channels into the Chinese market."
According to data from Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture, trade in agro-industrial products between China and Kazakhstan increased by 36.8% in 2025, reaching $1.97 billion.
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Kazinform report: Asqat Hasenov, Chairman of the Board of KazMunayGas, recently met with Zhang Chuanjiang, Chairman of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), in Astana. The two sides discussed current progress in cooperation and future plans.
During the meeting, both parties focused on the implementation progress of the "Zhylyoi" (Жылыой) joint geological exploration project located in the northeastern transitional zone of the Caspian Sea. The operating company responsible for the project, "Zhylyoi Operating" Limited Liability Company, has already been established.
The project is currently reprocessing and interpreting historical 2D seismic data covering 400 linear kilometers. Meanwhile, preliminary preparations for 3D field seismic surveys across an area of 400 square kilometers are nearing completion. Once the 3D seismic data have been processed and interpreted, the drilling location for the first exploratory well will be determined.
According to previously released information, the "Zhylyoi" project is jointly implemented by KazMunayGas and CNOOC on a 50%-50% basis, with CNOOC funding the exploration phase.
Hasenov stated that Kazakhstan highly values the achievements made through the cooperation. CNOOC is the first company to invest in the "Zhylyoi" geological exploration project in Kazakhstan.
"We highly appreciate the outcomes of our joint efforts. CNOOC is the first enterprise to invest in Kazakhstan’s 'Zhylyoi' geological exploration project. We believe we will further expand mutually beneficial cooperation with our Chinese partners," he said.
The two sides also discussed prospects for CNOOC’s participation in other geological exploration projects under KazMunayGas.
In addition, the meeting covered collaboration in oilfield services. Currently, pursuant to a cooperation agreement signed by both parties, KMG Drilling & Services, a subsidiary of KazMunayGas, is strengthening cooperation with China Offshore Oil Service Co., Ltd. (COSL), a subsidiary of CNOOC, in areas such as drilling and wellbore services, application of new technologies, localization development, and talent cultivation.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1875500291805196/
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