Tuesday, June 17, 2025
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has published its latest monthly Climate Bulletin, focused on key climate trends in May 2025. …
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has published its latest monthly Climate Bulletin, focused on key climate trends in May 2025. … 
China's Xi In Kazakhstan To Cement Central Asia Ties
The summit, which will be held on Tuesday in the Kazakh capital Astana, comes at a time when China is intensifying its outreach to Central Asian countries amid shifting global power alignments — and mounting tensions in neighbouring Iran, which is roiled in an escalating conflict with Israel.
China’s Xi Jinping meets Central Asian leaders: Why their summit matters
China is the region’s top trading partner, but Russia retains vital influence. And in recent years, the United States has tried to make inroads, too.
The summit will bring together the heads of state from all five Central Asian nations — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan — along with Xi.
- Xi is expected to be in Astana from June 16 to 18 and is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Kazakhstan’s leaders on Monday before the summit on June 17.
- At the summit, he is expected to deliver a keynote speech and “exchange views on the achievements of the China-Central Asia mechanism, mutually beneficial cooperation under the framework, and international and regional hotspot issues,” said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
“The alignment with China helps Central Asian states enhance their regional stability, pursue economic modernisation, and diversify their diplomatic portfolios,” said Zhao. Where Central Asia has abundant energy resources, he said, China offers vast markets, advanced technology, and infrastructure expertise.
Last Friday, Lin Jian, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, told a news briefing that establishing “the China-Central Asia mechanism was a unanimous decision among China and the five Central Asian countries, which dovetails with the region’s common desire to maintain stability and pursue high-quality development”.
Since China first formalised and chaired the China-Central Asia Summit in May 2023, Lin said, “China’s relations with Central Asian countries have entered a new era … injecting fresh impetus into regional development and delivering tangibly for the peoples of all six countries.”
“We believe through this summit, China and five Central Asian countries will further consolidate the foundation of mutual trust,” Lin added.
“During the summit, President Xi will also meet with these leaders and lay out the top-level plan for China’s relations with [the] five Central Asian countries,” said the spokesperson.
How is Shipping Impacted by an Israel-Iran War? | Trade Through The Stra...
Tanker rates for vessels carrying refined oil products from the Middle East have surged in recent days, as the exchange of fire between Israel and Iran makes hauling fuel through the Strait of Hormuz more risky.
Fuel Tanker Rates Surge as Mideast Conflict Puts Hormuz in Focus
(Bloomberg) -- Tanker rates for vessels carrying refined oil products from the Middle East have surged in recent days, as the exchange of fire between Israel and Iran makes hauling fuel through the Strait of Hormuz more risky.
- The cost to ship fuels from the Middle East to East Asia climbed almost 20% in three sessions to Monday, according to data from the Baltic Exchange.
- Rates to East Africa, meanwhile, jumped more than 40%.
- Tanker owners and managers had been pausing vessel offers in the Middle East as the hostilities between Israel and Iran show no signs of letting up.
There haven’t yet been any major attacks on commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf, but the market is on edge.
Major exporters in the region, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, use the route to ship oil to international markets.
Stagflation threat returns as Israel-Iran conflict sparks fears oil price could spike above $120
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