Kazakhstan has solidified its role as a standout partner in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with the Shieli cement plant symbolizing the industrial transformation sweeping the region.
Kazakhstan, among the earliest adopters of the BRI, has witnessed its partnership with China thrive, delivering tangible benefits to both countries.
The ever-stronger industrial cooperation between the two sides is exemplified by the Shieli cement plant in the Kyzylorda Region. Fully funded by the China Energy Engineering Group, the project came into operation in October 2019.
"Our oil-well cement has filled a local industry gap, holding 70 percent of the market share, ending Kazakhstan's long-term reliance on imported oil-well cement," said Wu Zhenhua, chairman of the project.
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan's southern neighbor, was once the main export market for cement from the Shieli project. However, due to shifting regional trade dynamics, the exports to Uzbekistan have sharply dropped in recent years.
To explore new opportunities, the project has focused on the core automobile transport market, upgraded production technology, and expanded specialized storage capacity. In the first half of this year, output in its core market still rose by 48 percent year on year.
The operation has generated over 400 local jobs while exporting to five neighboring countries.
"Next, we will deepen cooperation in low-alkali and nuclear-grade cement, continuing to support Kazakhstan's infrastructure in sectors like railways and nuclear power," Wu said.
China-Kazakhstan industrial cooperation flourishes under BRI framework
An Algerian expert and a Uruguayan official criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for her wrongful remarks that exposed Japan's ambitions for military expansion, which is endangering regional and international order.
At a Diet meeting in early November, Takaichi claimed that the Chinese central authorities' "use of force on Taiwan" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan and implied the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait, which drew strong criticism worldwide.
Smail Debeche, president of Algeria-China Friendship Association, said Japan should end its attempts to expand military power as it did during World War II.
"I think the wrongful remarks made by the Japanese side are not in the interests of Japan itself and the Japanese people. It is irrational and illogical to make such statements. After World War II, Japan should have shouldered its corresponding responsibilities and obligations. However, instead of deeply deploring its war past and earnestly apologizing, Japan seems to be trying to expand its military power in the region and display arrogance, much like in the wartime era. This practice must be stopped," said Debeche.
Leonardo Batalla, who is responsible for international relations at the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, said he firmly opposes the interference in China's internal affairs. "Japan's remarks are a provocative act. Japan is a defeated country in World War II. Now, its right-wing forces are attempting to revive the ambitions of the militarist era. Such an approach is detrimental to international relations because it interferes in China's internal affairs," said Batalla.
Int'l experts criticize Japanese PM's wrongful remarks for damaging int'l order
