China steps up Belt and Road Initiative funding with focus on Central Asia
The region received an ‘unusually high concentration’ of investment, particularly in metals and mining, new research has found
The 150 countries taking part in the global infrastructure initiative received a combined US$124 billion in investments and construction contracts from January to June, more than the US$122 billion reported for all of 2024, the US-based China-Global South Project research organisation said on its website Tuesday.
At the same time, it found, funding has diminished in Europe, East Asia and the Middle East.
Kazakhstan was the primary destination for Chinese capital, with US$23 billion invested there in the first six months of 2025. The largest project in the country in terms of investment size was a US$12 billion aluminium complex led by the Chinese conglomerate East Hope Group.
“China’s decision to commit such an enormous investment in Kazakhstan’s aluminium sector is the product of both internal economic pressures and shifting global trade dynamics,” the China-Global South Project said.