Tokayev projects Kazakhstan-China trade to reach $100 billion

September 9, 2026 at 10:05 AM1 min

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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said in a Xinhua interview that Kazakhstan-China trade could reach $100 billion. He noted bilateral trade hit nearly $50 billion in 2025, up 11% year-on-year, and reached $27.2 billion in the first half of 2026. Tokayev called for shifting from raw-material exports to joint production and high-value goods.

Key Facts

Kazakhstan-China trade reached nearly $50 billion in 2025, an 11% increase from the previous year.
In the first half of 2026, bilateral trade hit $27.2 billion, up about 25% compared to the same period in 2025.
China is Kazakhstan's largest foreign trade partner.
Tokayev said the two countries should focus on joint production, deep processing, and high-value-added goods.

Trade Growth

Tokayev said Kazakhstan-China relations have reached an unprecedented level. Bilateral trade reached nearly $50 billion in 2025, an 11% increase from 2024. In the first half of 2026, trade volume hit $27.2 billion, up about 25% year-on-year. China is Kazakhstan's largest foreign trade partner.

Strategic Partnership

Tokayev thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for his attention to Kazakhstan and appreciation of its role in Eurasia. He said regular political dialogue between the two leaders has become the core of the strategic partnership. Cooperation now spans trade, investment, energy, transport, industry, agriculture, digitalization, medicine, science, education, and culture.

Future Focus

Tokayev said the two countries should move from a raw-material export model to joint production and high-value-added goods. He emphasized the importance of introducing new technologies and developing industrial cooperation. Tokayev said Chinese partners support this approach.