[Infrastructure investment accelerated in many places] Infrastructure investment has picked up sharply recently, as evidenced by data released from a number of places. On the basis of major projects started in earnest in the first four months, new projects are being laid out in some localities. In addition, the large-scale construction of new infrastructure in 2023 will help accelerate the release of digital dividends. According to experts, there are many reasons for the acceleration of infrastructure investment, including sufficient project reserves, strong policy support such as land use, and a wide range of funding channels. In 2023, the central government will invest 640 billion yuan, an increase of 30 billion yuan over 2022. At the same time, 3.65 trillion yuan of local government special bonds will be allocated in 2023, much of which will be used for infrastructure investment. National Development and Reform Commission spokesperson Meng Wei said recently that the quota of special bonds for local governments to be used for construction projects in 2022 has been fully allocated. By the end of April, about 1.4 trillion yuan of special bonds had been issued in 2023. Editor/Xu Shengpeng

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• 2025.12.17 17:19
• [China Kazakhstan joint construction of solar power station officially starts construction]
• On December 15, 2025, a special ceremony was held in Turkestan, Kazakhstan. Local government officials and representatives of China Energy Construction Group buried the time capsule recording the project vision, marking the official commencement of the largest 300 MW solar power plant project in Central Asia and Kazakhstan to date. This is the result of the deep integration of China's "the Belt and Road" initiative and Kazakhstan's "Bright Road" new economic policy in the energy field, and also a milestone in the new stage of China Kazakhstan energy cooperation. The groundbreaking ceremony attracted widespread participation from the political and business sectors of China and Kazakhstan, with multiple parties witnessing through video conferencing. This project is highly anticipated as a key factor in the local energy transformation and investment attraction enhancement. Its installed capacity and energy storage system have a demonstration effect in Central Asia, and the site selection is in line with the local electricity demand. After completion, it will provide clean electricity and promote the achievement of Kazakhstan's 2030 renewable energy proportion target, which is in line with its strategy of attracting foreign investment and promoting technology transfer. The project adopts advanced technology, and China Energy Engineering will share its experience and assist in cultivating talents in Harbin. It will also collaborate with the promotion of water-saving technology to support regional green transformation. The project has an investment of approximately 160 billion tenge and is expected to create 500 local jobs. China and Kazakhstan are expanding from traditional oil and gas cooperation to renewable energy, with plans to complete and put into operation by 2027, laying the foundation for new energy cooperation between the two sides. Editor/Cheng Liting

• 2025.12.17 17:18
• [Algeria's steel exports surge]
• Algeria has long been an energy exporting country, with natural gas exports dominating its trade with Italy. In the first eight months of 2025, natural gas exports to Italy amounted to 5.94 billion euros, accounting for 84% of total exports. But now the export of steel products has emerged as a rising force, with an export value of 121 million euros, a year-on-year surge of 169.6%, surpassing the traditional non energy categories as the strongest engine for Italian export growth. The Algerian steel dream runs through modern history, being plundered during the colonial period, facing difficulties in development after independence, and facing unresolved challenges after market-oriented reforms. In the 2020s, the 2030 Industrial Strategy was launched to restructure and upgrade enterprises, and to overcome bottlenecks in the resource market. Although facing challenges such as low price competition in Europe, domestic resource constraints, technological dependence on imports, and policy uncertainty, the explosive growth of steel exports to Italy has proven the feasibility of the road, and is embedding industrial products into the European supply chain, carrying the dream of economic sovereignty and industrial dignity. Editor/Cheng Liting