The thinking of “the Belt and Road” energy cooperation triggered by the recent unrest in Kazakhstan

Central Asia is a key area for investment in oil and gas exploration and development of “the Belt and Road”.Kazakhstan is the political and economic bellwether in Central Asia, and rich in oil, gas, coal, uranium and other energy mineral resources.In 2021, Kazakhstan produced oil 85.88 million tons and exported 67.6 million tons.In early 2022, Kazakhstan is in unrest, that has complex internal and external causes, the increase of the national LNG price is only the trigger.Based on the analysis of the reasons for the unrest in Kazakhstan, this paper further analyzes the current situation of energy cooperation between China and Central Asian countries, and puts forward the direction and suggestions of “the Belt and Road” energy cooperation under the background of achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality.The first is to focus on the Central Asia-Russia, the Middle East and other regions, to continue to promote high-quality energy cooperation in natural gas, uranium and oil, and strengthen the cooperation in the fields of wind, solar, hydropower and other renewable and new energy sources.The second is to strengthen the connectivity in infrastructure and planning standards, and to advance cooperation in the fields of non-energy.The third is to innovate energy cooperation models, to strengthen research and development in key energy technologies.The fourth is to strengthen overseas risk assessment and safety precautions to ensure the energy security and stable supply of China.