China-Kazakhstan Connectivity: Railway Cooperation Deepens, Cross-Border Transport Volume Grows Steadily

¬ Kazakhstan Plans to Acquire Ports in Europe and the Caucasus to Build an Integrated Eurasian Logistics Network

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Xinhua News Agency (Kazakhstan) — Under the framework of the 40th Meeting of the Railway Cooperation Organization, Chairman Talgat Aldabergergenov of Kazakhstan’s National Railway Company met with Wang Jinxi, Member of the Board and Deputy Party Secretary of China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., at the company’s headquarters.

According to the National Railway Company, during their meeting, both sides highlighted the significant progress achieved through collaborative efforts in developing cross-border transportation and transit potential, providing strong support for the continued advancement of related initiatives.

Data shows that transport volume between the two countries increased by 9.3% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, reaching 9.1 million tons, indicating a sustained rise in demand for international transport corridors passing through China and Kazakhstan.

During the discussions, both parties focused on the development of the Caspian International Transit Corridor and the digital transformation of transport routes. Data reveals that 125 container trains ran through this corridor in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 34.4% increase compared to the same period last year.

In terms of infrastructure development, positive progress has been made. The two sides expressed mutual appreciation for their efforts in advancing the intergovernmental agreement on the "Dostyk-Alashankou" railway section, and reached consensus on accelerating the preparation of documents related to the third railway border crossing project at "Bakty-Tacheng".

Both sides unanimously agreed that the collaboration between Kazakhstan’s National Railway Company and China State Railway Group is effectively transforming the geographical advantages of both nations into a vital link connecting East and West trade, serving as a key driver for bilateral economic growth.

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Xinhua News Agency (Kazakhstan) — At the 40th Meeting of the Railway Cooperation Organization, Chairman Talgat Aldabergergenov of Kazakhstan’s National Railway Company stated that Kazakhstan plans to acquire port terminal assets in seaports across Europe and the Caucasus region to further enhance its international logistics network layout.

He emphasized that due to its strategic location as a transportation hub, Kazakhstan has long served as a crucial link between East and West. Currently, Kazakhstan is committed to building an efficient logistics system stretching from eastern coastal China to Europe, including the Caspian International Transit Corridor via the Caucasus countries toward Southern Europe. Under the Belt and Road Initiative framework, Kazakhstan is collaborating with neighboring countries to advance infrastructure planning, generating significant synergistic effects and gradually expanding its overseas logistics terminal network to ensure continuity of the transportation system.

Aldabergergenov noted that since 2014, China and Kazakhstan have implemented several major cooperation projects, including establishing a logistics node at Lianyungang Port for consolidating goods from Southeast Asia; constructing the Khorgos-East Gate Dry Port, the largest logistics hub at the China-Kazakhstan border; and developing the Xi’an International Port Area, where approximately 40% of China-Europe freight trains are currently assembled.

Thanks to these infrastructures, transportation time from Xi’an to Poti Port has been reduced to 15–18 days, with the next goal being to further compress it to 10–12 days. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is also advancing joint projects with member states of the Eurasian Economic Union.

He pointed out that the joint transport and logistics company — the Eurasian Rail Alliance project — serves as a successful model of cooperation. By leveraging regional synergy, this initiative has created the shortest transport route connecting Asia and Europe. Currently, transit times along this corridor remain stable at 12–14 days, becoming a key benchmark in international logistics. Over the past 12 years, transport volumes have grown more than 100-fold compared to the project’s initial phase.

Additionally, Aldabergergenov revealed that Kazakhstan is actively advancing work on acquiring port terminal capabilities in seaports across Europe and the Caucasus region.

He stressed that Kazakhstan’s objective goes beyond merely acquiring assets—it aims to build an integrated transport network system linking east-west and north-south corridors.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863279456304132/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author