Sanzhar Zharkeshov, Chairman of the Management Board of QazaqGaz, and Li Wei, Chairman of Shandong Energy Group, have signed a strategic cooperation agreement focused on coal chemistry. The signing took place on the sidelines of the China–Central Asia Industrial and Investment Cooperation Forum, held as part of the official visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Kazakhstan. The agreement was formalized in the presence of First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar during an official document exchange ceremony.
The agreement outlines plans for mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of coal chemistry, including the establishment of a coal-to-chemicals production facility in Kazakhstan. A key focus of the partnership will be the adoption of low-carbon technologies. The document also lays the groundwork for the development of a state-of-the-art integrated plant with a projected annual output of 2 billion cubic meters of gas. The project is expected to be implemented in phases, with total investments reaching up to $2 billion.
The initiative aims to diversify Kazakhstan’s economy, strengthen its energy security, improve the efficiency of coal resource utilization, and create new jobs—serving as a major driver for the development of the country’s coal chemical industry.
Shandong Energy Group Company Limited is a state-owned Chinese energy conglomerate and the country’s second-largest coal producer. The company also has major operations in rail, shipping, coal chemicals, and power generation. It ranks among the largest enterprises in China and globally.
With over 210,000 employees and 608 subsidiaries, including eight publicly listed companies, Shandong Energy operates across 22 provinces in China and in 17 countries worldwide. In 2024, the company reported $118 billion in operating revenue—ranking first among China’s top 50 coal companies, 23rd among China’s top 500 enterprises, and 75th among the Global Fortune 500.
