China sharply increased Belt and Road Initiative investments in the first half of 2025, focusing on Central Asian mining projects, reported Hong Kong's South China Morning Post.

Total BRI investments and construction contracts reached US$124 billion from January to June, surpassing the full-year 2024 figure of US$122 billion, according to the China-Global South Project.

The Griffith Asia Institute found a high concentration of funding in Central Asia, particularly for aluminium and copper mining. Analysts say Beijing is securing resources amid rising trade tensions with the US.

Kazakhstan received US$23 billion in Chinese investment, including a US$12 billion aluminium complex led by East Hope Group. Funding in Europe, East Asia and the Middle East declined over the same period.