Kazakhstan and China negotiate gas pipeline constructions

Kazakhstan is ready to take part in the construction of a major Central Asian gas pipeline as part of the China's West-East gas pipeline project, Vice-Prime Minister Karim Masimov said. The pipeline will bring gas from the Tarim gas fields in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous area to consumers in Greater Shanghai.

Masimov and the president of the Chinese National Oil and Gas Corporation, Ma Fucai, "exchanged views on the construction of the gas pipeline from Turkmenistan, Central Asia to China, and its further connection to the West-East gas pipeline". Astana and Beijing have been negotiating cooperation in the fuel and energy sector, particularly the construction of oil and gas pipelines, for a long time, Masimov said. "I have been instructed to continue these negotiations at the working level in order to translate them into reality later", he said.
Negotiations on the constructions of a gas pipeline from Western Kazakhstan to China have also been underway for a long time. "We received a confirmation from the president of the Chinese National Oil and Gas Corporation that China wants this project to be continued", Masimov said. He and Fucai also discussed potential Chinese investment in Kazakhstan's petrochemical industry.

During his three-day visit, Masimov will have talks with Prime Minister Zhu Rongji, the chairman of the State Planning and Development Committee, Zhe Peiyan, the chairman of the State Economic and Trade Committee, Li Rongrong, and Minister of Railways Fu Zhuhuan. He is also expected to meet with representatives of Chinese companies that want to establish direct ties with Kazakh partners.
One of the promising projects is the creation of a free trade zone in the Khorgos area. Masimov stressed that the Kazakh government will support all Kazakh enterprises that seek to develop trade and economic ties with China irrespective of their form of ownership.