Chinese logistics giant YTO Express is speeding up cross-border shipping in Kazakhstan's Almaty, laying the groundwork as a regional hub to connect Central Asia to the rest of the world.
As Chinese e-commerce continues to expand globally, fast and reliable delivery has become the new frontier.
YTO Express entered Kazakhstan in June last year. For deliveryman Alisher, who previously studied in China, the company's arrival has provided him with an exciting opportunity. Since joining YTO six months ago, he has been handling up to 80 deliveries daily.
When studying in China, he often shopped online using e-commerce platforms like Alibaba's Taobao and learned how convenient their services can be.
"So when I saw YTO in Kazakhstan for the first time, I was very happy, [switch to English] I was shocked. I think I have a future at this company," he said.
In Almaty, the company's arrival has changed the game through speed, especially for those who love Chinese products.
YTO not only provides numerous job opportunities for the local community but also helps consumers acquire what they need more easily, according to Gulina, station manager at Almaty Flagship Express.
"My friends in Kazakhstan can now buy Chinese products through YTO. It feels great to help connect our two countries. I'm proud of what I do," said Gulina.
However, YTO's Central Asia journey is just the first step toward a global express hub.
"As we say: 'To get rich, build roads first.' Our Almaty 'Sky hub' project is the first step in our global strategy. Over the next decade, we plan to build seven major logistics hubs in the Middle East, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. We believe it's our mission to support Chinese enterprises going global by laying the infrastructure first. With strong logistics, businesses can go further, and grow stronger," said Hu Ruiqi, general manager for the Central Asia region at YTO International.
YTO Express powers cross-border delivery in Kazakhstan
China's natural gas production is projected to reach 300 billion cubic meters by 2030, according to a development report released in Beijing.
The report, covering the development of China's oil and gas industry during the country's 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), said proven geological reserves rose by 7 billion tons of oil and 7 trillion cubic meters of gas, up 43 percent and 40 percent respectively from the previous five-year period. Oil and gas production hit record highs.
"The oil output is likely to reach between 215 and 216 million tons this year. Natural gas has seen major growth during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), with annual domestic output rising by nearly 13 billion cubic meters. In the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), we expect annual increases of more than 10 billion cubic meters, reaching 300 billion cubic meters around 2030," said Wu Mouyuan, deputy director of the Economics and Technology Research Institute of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).
The report forecast that China's energy structure will feature less coal, stable oil and gas, and rising non-fossil fuels over the next decade.
By 2060, fossil fuels are expected to account for 23 percent of the energy mix, hydropower and nuclear 19 percent, wind 25 percent, and solar 30 percent, the report said.
"In the next five years, through the integrated development of fossil energy and renewables, we will achieve a heathy, stable, and resilient energy system. Clean energy will continue to grow rapidly. More than 90 percent of renewable energy will be consumed via electricity, so the electrification at end-use sectors is a key direction of transformation in the future," said Wu.
With the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and new high-energy industries, China's power demand will exceed 20 trillion kilowatt hours by 2060, double the 2025 level. Electrification at end-use sectors is expected to reach 62 percent, rising by nearly one percentage point annually, the report projected.
China to see gas output hitting 300 bcm by 2030: report
