The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and the "SCO+" format meeting in Bishkek. During his speeches, the head of state identified key areas of work in the Eurasian space as strengthening trust, developing trade, digitalization, and transport connectivity.
In particular, Tokayev emphasized the importance of combining the potentials of the Chinese initiative "One Belt, One Road" and the Trans-Caspian Route (TCR). These same theses formed the basis of his interview with the Xinhua News Agency, in which Tokayev detailed the strategic prospects of relations, trade-economic and transport partnership between Kazakhstan and China:
Relations between Kazakhstan and China are currently at an unprecedentedly high level. Astana is ready to consistently strengthen the eternal comprehensive strategic partnership with Beijing, filling it with new content and opening new horizons for cooperation. This was stated recently in an exclusive written interview with the Xinhua Agency by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The President noted that Kazakhstan and China are united by a long border and centuries-old history of good neighborliness. "As the well-known Kazakh proverb goes: 'Zholy birdin – zhugi bir' / 'Those who walk the same road have a common fate'/. Such relationships between the two countries meet the fundamental interests of our peoples and serve as an important factor for peace and stability across the entire Eurasian space," he noted.
K.-J. Tokayev expressed sincere gratitude to the Chairman of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping for his kind attitude towards Kazakhstan. "Our constant political dialogue has become a key center of Kazakh-Chinese strategic partnership," he added.
"Our strategic partnership has truly acquired a comprehensive nature, covering all key areas – from trade, investment, energy and transport to industrial cooperation, agriculture, digitalization, medicine, science, education, and culture," the president emphasized.
K.-J. Tokayev stated that bilateral trade continues to set new records. China ranks first among Kazakhstan's foreign trade partners. One of the strategic directions has become transport and logistics. Kazakhstan is a natural link between the East and the West. "Together with our Chinese partners, we are turning this geographical advantage into a modern transport and logistics infrastructure of Eurasian scale," he said. "The development of the 'Belt and Road' megaproject, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, the construction of new railway lines, the expansion of dry ports and logistics terminals, and the modernization of border infrastructure are forming a fundamentally new configuration of transport links between Asia and Europe."
According to the Kazakh leader, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route or the Middle Corridor occupies a priority place in cooperation, becoming the most important link in transportation between China and Europe. "Our common task is to make this route as competitive as possible. Therefore, we attach particular importance to the implementation of 'smart customs', digitalization of document flow, synchronization of information systems, and automation of border procedures," the head of state emphasized.
Interaction between Kazakhstan and China is reaching a new qualitative level. Today it covers an increasingly wide range of areas – from traditional cooperation in the real sector to the development of partnerships in the digital economy, K.-J. Tokayev stated.
He noted that the technological dimension of cooperation is gaining particular importance. China holds leading positions in the world in the fields of artificial intelligence, digital technologies, robotics, new energy sources, and high-tech manufacturing. Kazakhstan, in turn, is pursuing a course of accelerated digital transformation.
The year 2026 has been declared the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in Kazakhstan. "During my recent visit to Shanghai to participate in the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, I held substantive meetings with leaders of leading Chinese technology companies. Mutual interest was identified in implementing joint projects in the digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, e-commerce, scientific research, and personnel training. It is precisely technological cooperation that can become one of the most important directions of a new stage of Kazakh-Chinese cooperation," he added.
K.-J. Tokayev emphasized that AI is intended to serve the development of all humanity. States should have fair access to modern technologies, knowledge, and computing resources. "In this matter, our approaches resonate with China's position. In July of this year, Kazakhstan joined the ranks of 29 founding states of the World Organization for Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence (WAICO) in Shanghai. This is a significant step towards forming an open and effective international system for coordinating countries' efforts in the field of artificial intelligence," he noted.
Kazakhstan and China are dynamically interacting on the international stage. "We share similar positions on strengthening the central role of the United Nations, protecting the principles of international law, promoting mediation and genuine multilateralism, as well as peaceful conflict resolution," K.-J. Tokayev noted.
He emphasized that Kazakhstan firmly adheres to the one-China policy and opposes violations of the principle of territorial integrity of states. Kazakhstan will continue coordination with China within the framework of the UN, SCO, and CICA and fully supports cooperation in the format of 'Central Asia – China'.
The President stated that this year the SCO celebrates its 25th anniversary. The organization has managed to preserve the most important thing – the "Shanghai spirit", based on mutual trust, equality, dialogue, respect for cultural diversity, and a commitment to joint development. He considers these principles as a "standard" for international cooperation.
K.-J. Tokayev noted that next year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and China. Along with official political and economic ties, direct contacts between the citizens of the two countries have also developed actively. The holding of the "Cross-Year of Culture" between Kazakhstan and China in 2026 is a vivid confirmation of this trend.
The head of state noted that today tens of thousands of Kazakh students are studying in China. At the same time, the number of Chinese citizens choosing Kazakh universities is growing. Branches of leading Chinese universities, "Luban Workshops", are successfully operating in Kazakhstan, academic mobility programs and inter-university cooperation are expanding.
The introduction of a mutual visa-free regime has given a significant boost to the development of tourism. By the end of 2025, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Kazakhstan reached 962,000, which is 47 percent more than the figure for 2024, K.-J. Tokayev added.
"We want to show our Chinese friends Kazakhstan in all its diversity – modern Astana and ancient Turkestan, the mountains of Almaty and the unique landscapes of Mangistau, the Great Steppe and the heritage of the Great Silk Road, our music, national instruments, cuisine, and traditions of hospitality. At the same time, Kazakhstan is discovering China with great interest – a country of ancient civilization that today demonstrates an impressive example of development," the president concluded.
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