Astana, Kazakhstan - February 11, 2025 The China-Kazakhstan business forum, held in Astana on Tuesday, saw the signing of eight cooperation agreements, as reported by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). The forum, themed "Further Expanding China-Kazakhstan Trade and Industrial Cooperation," attracted over 200 representatives from the business communities of both countries. During their four-day trip to Kazakhstan, the Chinese delegation engaged in discussions with Kazakh representatives on key cooperation areas, including oil and gas trade, clean energy, agricultural collaboration, and international logistics. The eight agreements signed on-site included a strategic energy cooperation agreement and an agricultural product import-export agreement. Co-hosted by CCPIT and the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan "Atameken", the forum underscored the mutual desire for expanded trade and economic ties between the two nations. Bilateral trade between China and Kazakhstan exceeded 43.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, up 6.8 percent year on year. By the end of the year, China's direct investment stock in Kazakhstan across all sectors reached 8.66 billion U.S. dollars. Kazakh participants expressed confidence that with China already a major trading partner for Kazakhstan, both sides will cultivate new growth areas in critical minerals, new energy, and the digital economy. Shotlist: Astana, Kazakhstan - Feb 11, 2025: 1. Various of Chinese, Kazakh business representatives having meeting; 2. Words reading "China-Kazakhstan business forum"; 3. Business representatives signing document; 4. Chinese, Kazakh business representatives shaking hands; 5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Wan Yang, deputy general manager, Sinochem London (ending with shots 6-9): "We have a long-standing and excellent cooperative foundation with Kazakh energy companies. We eagerly anticipate strengthening collaboration across value chains, supply chains, and production chains with Kazakh businesses under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative."; FILE: Kazakhstan - Date Unknown 6. Various of containers being moved; 7. Port facility operating; 8. Aerial shot of port; 9. Various of landmarks, traffic; 10. Aerial shot of machineries on road; Astana, Kazakhstan - Feb 11, 2025 11. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Xu Wei, deputy general manager, Strategy and Investment Management Department, CITIC Group (starting with shots 9-10/partially overlaid with shots 12-13): "Digital transformation, agricultural cooperation, environmental protection and new energy, and high-end manufacturing represent areas of great potential for future China-Kazakhstan cooperation. We hope this trip will facilitate deeper exchanges with Kazakh entrepreneurs and further expand our collaborative horizons."; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Kazakhstan - Date Unknown 12. Various of auto assembly line; 13. Aerial shot of traffic; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] Astana, Kazakhstan - Feb 11, 2025 14. Sign of China-Kazakhstan business forum; 15. Various of meeting in progress; attendees; 16. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Xu Jinli, director, bilateral cooperation department, China Chamber of International Commerce (ending with shot 17): "Chinese and Kazakh businesses both attached great importance to this forum, showing the solid foundation for economic and trade cooperation and the strong desire for collaboration between our enterprises."; 17. Various of attendees at meeting, talking with each others; FILE: China - Date Unknown 18. Aerial shots of port. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]