African goods densely arrive at Shanghai port

In May 2026, Yangshan Port in Shanghai intensively unloaded African specialty goods such as South Africa and Egypt. China's new policy of zero tariffs was implemented within two days, and border inspections ensured efficient customs clearance.Editor/Gao Xue

Hengli Heavy Industries continues to expand overseas cooperation

On May 5, 2026, Hengli Heavy Industries held a naming ceremony for two 82000 deadweight ton bulk carriers, which were built by Greek shipowner Dynacom. The two sides have previously cooperated on multiple VLCC and bulk carriers. On that day, Hengli Heavy Industries also collaborated for the first time with European shipowner Beacon Tankers, signing contracts for 2+2 158000 deadweight ton Suezmax tankers. Since 2026, Hengli Heavy Industry has signed a total of 20 oil tankers of this type, which has become the main construction vessel.Editor/Gong Ziwei

COSCO Shipping opens direct flights to Libya

On May 6, 2026, COSCO Shipping announced the opening of a regular direct route to Libya in Benghazi, with a frequency of once every two weeks. It only takes 25 days from Guangzhou to Benghazi to transport Chinese engineering machinery and other goods.Editor/Gao Xue

Qarmet partners with CNF to supply China's coking coal concentrate for the first time

Qarmet collaborates with CNF to supply coking coal concentrate for metallurgical coke production. The first batch of 4300 tons has been transported to China via the Dostick Alashanku Port railway and is currently undergoing pilot testing. The plan is to increase the monthly supply to 40000 tons, aiming to expand exports, stabilize production capacity, and consolidate its international position as a reliable supplier of high-quality coal powder. Editor/Cheng Liting

UAE to build super large light storage cluster

In May 2026, Masdar signed a contract with EWEC to develop over 30 gigawatts of photovoltaics and over 8 gigawatts of energy storage in the United Arab Emirates, contributing to a 60% share of clean energy by 2035.Editor/Gao Xue

The first power station in Cuba's new energy project is put into operation

On April 30, 2026, the first power station of China's 85MW photovoltaic project in Cuba, the "General Angel del Castillo Argemont" photovoltaic power station in the province of Ciego de Avila, was completed. The power station has an installed capacity of 5MW photovoltaic and 1MW energy storage, with a peak of 6MW. It is Cuba's first integrated photovoltaic and energy storage project and has the ability to ensure supply in an isolated island mode. Its operation has helped the province's photovoltaic power to exceed 100MW, effectively alleviating power shortages and reducing oil dependence.Editor/Cheng Liting

Greece plans to build a 105 MW large-scale public solar project

A 105 megawatt community solar park will be built in the Etruscan region of Greece, making it one of the largest community power stations in Greece and Europe. The project is located on public land in Maisorongji and is expected to reduce the electricity bills of beneficiaries by up to 62%, directly serving 147000 farmers and citizens, covering 17000 vulnerable households, and radiating to nearly 300000 residents in 12 surrounding towns. Part of the funding comes from a special allocation of 25 million euros for the Western Greece regional operation plan.Editor/Cheng Liting

Kazakhstan launches 8 non-ferrous projects by 2026

On April 29, 2026, Kazakhstan plans to launch 8 non-ferrous projects with a total investment of 80.1 billion tenge, creating more than 1500 jobs. The Karaganda cathode copper plant has been put into operation.Editor/Gao Xue

Uzbekistan joins hands with Jiangsu to negotiate cooperation in multiple fields

On April 28, 2026, the Uzbekistan delegation held an economic and trade roundtable meeting with representatives from more than 30 enterprises in Jiangsu in Nanjing. Both sides exchanged views on the investment potential of multiple regions in Uzbekistan, with a focus on discussing cooperation directions in areas such as industrial park construction, industrial production and medical industry, and medical tourism. Currently, Uzbekistan is promoting industrial upgrading, supporting high-tech manufacturing and medical tourism industries, and urgently needs financial and technological support.Editor/Gong Ziwei

The cross-border complex project of Khorgos China Kazakhstan Friendship Zone was launched

The commencement ceremony of the China Kazakhstan Friendship Zone project was held at the Khorgos International Border Cooperation Center. The project is located in the cooperation center of the Harbin region, with a total investment of approximately 587 million US dollars. It is planned to be completed by the end of 2027 and jointly developed by investors from China and Kazakhstan. The project is a multifunctional integrated carrier, constructed in two phases, and will build a one-stop comprehensive service platform to improve supporting facilities such as cross-border logistics and cold chain warehousing. After the completion of the project, it can stimulate employment, double local tax revenue, fill the gaps in regional infrastructure in Kazakhstan, and help improve the quality and upgrading of cross-border trade and bilateral economic and trade cooperation between China and Kazakhstan.Editor/Gong Ziwei

China ASEAN trade heats up in the first quarter

In the first quarter of 2026, the import and export freight volume at Youyiguan Port was 1.857 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 32.9%. The Beibu Gulf Port has completed a cargo throughput of 81.51 million tons. Thai durian can be cleared through ports in as fast as 3 hours, with over 200 new refrigerated containers added. The port realizes automated operations and promotes the coordinated development of the industrial chain.Editor/Gao Xue

China Ukraine joint venture pipeline reaches consensus on increasing revenue

On April 27, 2026, Uzbekistan Oil and Gas and Chinese companies reached a consensus in Zhuhai to implement a series of measures to increase the revenue of the joint venture Asia Trans Gas and strengthen financial sustainability. The company is responsible for the construction and operation of the Uzbekistan section of the Central Asia China natural gas pipeline.Editor/Gao Xue

The first flight of the Osh Kashgar route has reduced the 8-hour journey to 40 minutes

On April 28, 2026, Chengdu Airlines opened a round-trip route between Osh and Kashgar, operating every Tuesday. The first flight from Kashgar to Osh carried 50 passengers and 46 passengers on the return trip, with significant demand. This route reduces the travel time between the two places from 8 hours to 40 minutes. Mayor Osh said that this move is of great significance for strengthening the economic and trade relations and tourism between Kyrgyzstan and China. If the passenger flow is stable, it is expected to increase to two trips per week in the future. Editor/Cheng Liting

The Astana Kuosh Light Rail Project is expected to be completed by the end of 2027

Astana Mayor Jens Hasmubek announced on April 21, 2026 that the light rail project between Astana and Kuosh is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Jens Hasmubek pointed out that the plan is to start construction of another highway entering the city from Chinggis Atmatov Street by the end of 2026.Editor/Yang Meiling

Uzbekistan signs memorandum of understanding with Xi'an Xianyang International Airport

Uzbekistan Airport Company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Xi'an Xianyang International Airport in China, reaching an agreement to expand cooperation in passenger and freight transportation and enhance the hub status of both airports. The agreement was signed during the 2026 Asian Airline Development Forum held in Xi'an, China from April 14th to 16th. The statement shows that both sides also agreed to attract more airlines to participate in operations, increase flight schedules, and open new cargo routes, in order to comprehensively enhance the level of aviation connectivity between the two countries.Editor/Cheng Liting

CNOOC and Kazakhstan Oil signed an agreement

In April 2026, CNOOC and Kazakhstan National Oil Corporation signed a cooperation agreement covering drilling, technology transfer, and local industry co construction. China's independent Xuanji system will enter the Kazakhstan market.Editor/Gao Xue

Three standard gauge railways between China and Vietnam will be connected

In April 2026, the Sino Vietnamese Joint Declaration proposed to promote the connection and integration of three standard gauge railways, including Laojie, Hanoi, Haiphong, and others, into the Asia Europe network, and to accelerate the completion of the East Line of the Pan Asian Railway.Editor/Gao Xue

Kazakhstan advances Chinese funded waste to energy projects

On April 22, 2026, Shenzhen Energy and Environment held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan and proposed to invest 180 million US dollars to promote the second phase of Astana Ecological Park, which will process 1500 tons of waste per day and generate 50 megawatts of electricity.Editor/Gao Xue

The China Laos 500 kV interconnection project has been officially put into operation

The China Laos 500 kV interconnection project was officially put into operation on the 20th, marking a significant improvement in the power interconnection capacity between the two countries. The total length of the project is 177.5 kilometers, forming a bidirectional mutual aid capacity of 1.5 million kilowatts, and an average annual transmission of 3 billion kilowatt hours of clean electricity.Editor/Cheng Liting

Eni secures major gas field offshore Indonesia

On April 20, 2026, Italy's Eni Group discovered about 5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas offshore East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Sinopec holds an 18% stake in the block.Editor/Gao Xue

China Turkey Oil and Gas University will jointly build a training center

In April 2026, Turkmenistan International University of Petroleum and Natural Gas and China University of Petroleum reached an agreement to jointly establish an energy training center, planning to carry out teacher training and student summer internships.Editor/Gao Xue

Henan International undertakes Mozambique water supply project

The water supply project undertaken by Henan International Group in the suburbs of Maputo has benefited nearly 72000 residents, with a daily added water supply capacity of about 30000 cubic meters.Editor/Gao Xue

CNOOC and Kazakhstan Oil and Gas signed a cooperation agreement

On April 14, 2026, CNOOC and KMG Drilling Company, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan National Oil Corporation, signed a framework agreement focusing on drilling operations, technology transfer, and talent training, deepening cooperation in Central Asian oilfield services.Editor/Gao Xue

Malaysia's East Rail completes full track laying

In April 2026, the 519 kilometer track laying of the Kota Bharu to Gombak section of the Malaysia East Coast Railway, designed and constructed by Chinese enterprises, was completed ahead of schedule, and the project entered the system debugging phase.Editor/Gao Xue

Chongqing made new energy vehicles borrow land sea new channel to go abroad

On April 15, 2026, the China Laos cross-border new energy vehicle special train departed from Tuanjie Village in Chongqing and went directly to Vientiane in five days. In the first two months of this year, Chongqing's automobile exports surged by nearly 90% year-on-year.Editor/Gao Xue

Tanzanian media highly praises the cooperation between Tanzania and Zambia railways

In April 2026, the ruling party newspaper of Tanzania highly praised the historical significance of the China Africa Tanzania Zambia railway cooperation, stating that the $1.4 billion activation project would revitalize the vitality of the East African trade corridor.Editor/Gao Xue

Tajikistan and Ukraine launch cooperation project

Recently, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have launched 12 cooperation projects simultaneously, with a total investment of over 1.6 billion US dollars, covering fields such as home appliances, textiles, food, and pharmaceuticals.Editor/Gao Xue

Mongolia's coal exports surged by 57% in the first quarter

According to the statistics of the Mongolian customs agency, the coal export volume in the first quarter of 2026 reached 27.5319 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 57.0%. Among them, the export of hard coal was 26.3409 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 66.8%; Lignite exports amounted to 1.191 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 31.4%. In March, exports amounted to 11.0607 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 84.1% and a month on month increase of 74.2%. The export of hard coal was 10.5164 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 85.3% and a month on month increase of 71.7%; Lignite exports reached 544300 tons, a year-on-year increase of 18.8% and a month on month surge of 141.2%. Editor/Cheng Liting

TikTok invests $125 million to deeply cultivate e-commerce in Vietnam

TikTok recently invested $125 million in Ho Chi Minh City to focus on improving its logistics, payment, and digital commerce systems, aiming to address pain points such as low fulfillment efficiency and complex COD management in Vietnamese e-commerce. Against the backdrop of Vietnam's e-commerce scale reaching 32 billion US dollars and dominated by Shopee and TikTok, the new E-commerce Law plans to introduce strict regulations, extending supervision to live streaming e-commerce content and seller qualifications. Cross border sellers face higher thresholds for local registration and data compliance, and the platform's responsibility boundaries are further clarified.Editor/Cheng Liting

Azerbaijan will participate in the Beijing Service Trade Fair

On April 3, 2026, the Azerbaijan Export Investment Agency and the Chinese side held talks in Baku and confirmed that local enterprises will form groups to participate in the September Beijing Service Trade Fair and discuss employee training in China.Editor/Gao Xue