Kyrgyzstan is seeking to boost fuel imports from China as it looks to diversify supplies and reduce the risks of its heavy reliance on Russia.
The issue was discussed in Urumqi, the administrative centre of China’s western Xinjiang region, during talks between Kyrgyz government representatives and Chinese petrochemical giant Sinopec.
Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, Erlis Akunbekov, said the country wanted to increase petroleum product imports from China and saw significant scope for cooperation.
The talks focused on establishing direct links between Sinopec and Kyrgyz companies working in the fuel and lubricants sector, as well as potential petroleum product supplies to Kyrgyzstan.
Executives from more than ten Kyrgyz companies operating in the oil sector joined the delegation to Urumqi. According to Akunbekov, their participation was intended to allow direct talks with Chinese partners on potential cooperation.
Following the meeting, working groups made up of government and company representatives examined the practical arrangements required for regular fuel supplies to Kyrgyzstan.
Discussions covered logistics and transport routes, customs clearance procedures, trade volumes and other commercial terms.
The talks come as Kyrgyzstan looks to reduce the risks stemming from its heavy reliance on Russian fuel.
The country consumes around two million tonnes of fuel a year, with roughly 95 per cent traditionally coming from Russia.
Pressure on Russia’s domestic fuel market has also disrupted supplies to Kyrgyzstan, pushing Bishkek to seek alternative sources.
Kyrgyzstan has already begun diversifying its fuel imports, with supplies now coming from Belarus, Azerbaijan, Türkiye and an unnamed European country. Kazakhstan and China are also being considered as additional sources.
The first fuel shipment from China has already arrived in Kyrgyzstan, marking an initial step towards opening a new supply route.
Bishkek has also introduced an indefinite ban on exports of petrol, diesel and oil in an effort to protect domestic supplies.
U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday on efforts to en...
Iran has warned it will retaliate against any future U.S. attacks, saying American energy interests and infrastructure across the Gulf could become...
Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW) 2026 has begun in Azerbaijan’s capital, bringing together government representatives, business leaders, inves...
An eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Anak Krakatau has disrupted air travel, school activities and fishing operations, with hundreds of passengers stranded at Jakarta’s main airport on Sunday.
At least five people were killed and five others injured when an Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway and crashed while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday, 6 September, local officials said.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that the United States must recognise that the “rules of the game” in its war against Iran had changed “before it is too late”, a day after Washington struck several Iranian tankers in the Gulf.
Two Greek military pilots were killed on Saturday when an F-4 Phantom fighter jet crashed during an air show at Tanagra air base, north of Athens, officials said.
U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday on efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Kazakhstan plans to build an international Earth observation satellite network of up to 14 spacecraft, expanding a project already bringing together Mongolia, the Republic of the Congo and Nigeria.
Iran has dismissed a joint U.S.-E3 draft resolution on its nuclear programme as “meaningless, illogical, and illegal”, saying Tehran is ready to respond if the measure is pursued at the ongoing IAEA board meeting in Vienna.
Pakistan faces a fresh test over preferential access to one of its biggest export markets as the European Union introduces a new GSP+ framework from January 2027, with tougher requirements on implementation, monitoring and reporting.
Georgia is using a two-day maritime forum in Batumi to strengthen its case as a key trade link between Europe and Asia, bringing together international shipping officials, industry leaders and regional ministers for talks on ports, safety and connectivity.
Türkiye plans to increase defence spending by 229 per cent under a three-year economic plan designed to boost domestic arms production and advanced military technology.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment