China-Kazakhstan Cooperation: Rapid Development of Infrastructure and Logistics between China and Kazakhstan

The cooperation in infrastructure and logistics between China and Kazakhstan is particularly active. Under the deep involvement of China, more than 200 cooperative projects that have been implemented in Kazakhstan are mostly concentrated in the fields of transportation, infrastructure, and industry. Under the promotion of the "Belt and Road" framework, Kazakhstan is increasingly becoming a regional transportation and logistics hub. This process has also created conditions for enhancing the potential of processing industries and promoting high-quality economic transformation.

"Kazakhstan is not only a resource exporter but also plays an important role as infrastructure and transit hub in China's Eurasian strategy. For example, in 2023, Kazakhstan provided more than 60% of China's uranium imports, which is strategically significant for China's nuclear energy security. In addition, over 10 million tons of Russian oil are transported to China annually via the Atasu-Alashankou oil pipeline. Kazakhstan also continuously exports resources such as copper, ferroalloys, chromium, grain, and oil crops to China. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, we are a major transit country. The 'Middle Corridor', as an alternative route between China and Europe passing through Kazakhstan, has significantly enhanced Kazakhstan's geopolitical status," added Jadiera Asetkuz, senior expert at the Asian Studies Department of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies.

Experts believe that this meeting between Central Asia and China will proceed simultaneously along two directions: one involving specific bilateral projects between Kazakhstan and China, and the other focusing on economic and ecological issues in the Central Asia region. Investment, transportation, and cross-border rivers will be key topics for discussion.

Jadiera Asetkuz stated that future agreements are expected to elevate the cooperation between both sides to a new level, with a focus on promoting flagship projects in production and technology fields.

"Investment cooperation will迎来 new momentum, and both sides will increase investment in non-resource sectors such as machinery manufacturing, petrochemicals, agricultural product processing, and pharmaceuticals. Chinese enterprises intend to set up joint venture factories in Kazakhstan and stabilize supplies to the Chinese market," she said.

She also predicted that another important direction would be transportation and transit cooperation, possibly discussing issues such as opening new railway border ports, upgrading existing infrastructure, expanding Caspian Sea ports, and expanding the Khorgos land port. Both Kazakhstan and China aim to transform the transport corridor into a fully functional economic channel.

As is well known, Kazakhstan's economy is highly dependent on raw material exports. The head of state and many economists have repeatedly emphasized the need to promote diversified industrial development based on an innovative system. Aidar Amirebayev, director of the Kazakhstan Political Research Center, pointed out that this summit should be fully utilized to discuss key projects in the field of production technology.

"China's current economic quality is extremely high and should no longer be simply regarded as the world's factory. China has entered the ranks of technological powers, and its capabilities in artificial intelligence and innovation projects are second to none. Therefore, cooperation with China in the manufacturing sector offers advantages in both quality and price. Compared to the high prices and complex logistics of Western high-tech products, China has significant advantages in terms of geographical proximity and reasonable costs," he said.

Currently, Kazakhstan's exports to China are still dominated by raw materials. According to last year's data, oil, natural gas, and precious metals continue to rank at the top. Statistics this year also indicate that this trend remains unchanged. Therefore, renewable energy, hydrogen, nuclear energy, and agricultural new projects are likely to be discussed during this meeting. At the same time, plans are underway to expand cooperation in research center construction, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital trade.

Aidar Amirebayev emphasized that although diversified cooperation should be promoted, existing raw material export projects cannot be ignored. In the current turbulent international situation, it is not easy to attract China solely through raw materials, especially since northern neighboring countries are also shifting their oil and gas export focus to China.

"We compete with Russia in the oil and gas market. Affected by sanctions, Russia mainly exports oil and gas to China and India. This seems to make China view Kazakhstan as a potential alternative resource supplier. Against this backdrop, we must strive to expand our raw material export capacity, which requires accelerating the updating of oil and gas pipelines and improving transmission capacity," he said.

Source: Kazinform

Original Article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1835055998380108/

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