Kazakhstan and China are stepping up cooperation in the non-ferrous metals sector, with plans to expand joint projects across the entire industrial value chain and strengthen investment in metallurgy, processing, and workforce development.

Speaking at the Kazakhstan-China Forum on Sustainable Development of Non-Ferrous Metallurgy in Astana, Jia Mingxing, Vice Chairman of the China Non-Ferrous Metals Industry Association, said the two countries are entering a new phase of strategic industrial cooperation, The Caspian Post reports via Kazinform.

Jia said that the rapid growth in bilateral trade-which exceeded $48 billion in 2025-has created a strong foundation for expanding collaboration in Kazakhstan's mining and metallurgical industries.

He noted that Chinese investment in Kazakhstan is increasingly focused on metallurgy, industrial localization, workforce training, and the development of the entire production value chain, supported by strong political ties and mutual trust between the two countries.

One of the main priorities is deeper industrial cooperation, with Chinese companies planning to localize more production in Kazakhstan. Jia highlighted that Chinese enterprises operating in the country have already reached annual copper production of 300,000 metric tons, while refined copper cathode output continues to grow.

China also intends to expand strategic cooperation throughout 2026, citing Zijin Mining's Boguty tungsten deposit project and other major initiatives as examples of successful bilateral partnerships.

A second focus will be on training skilled workers and sharing advanced technologies, helping Kazakhstan increase production of higher-value metal products while improving efficiency and promoting greener mining practices.

The third pillar of cooperation involves cross-sector integration, including the use of cross-border railway corridors, special economic zones in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and closer industrial links to facilitate trade and investment.