Tokayev: Kazakhstan-China ties at unprecedented high, trade nears $50 bln

September 9, 2026 at 09:55 AM1 min

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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said bilateral relations with China are at an unprecedentedly high level in an exclusive written interview with Xinhua. He noted that two-way trade reached nearly $50 billion in 2025, up 11 percent, and hit $27.2 billion in the first half of 2026, a rise of almost a quarter. China ranks first among Kazakhstan's foreign trade partners.

Key Facts

Kazakhstan-China trade reached nearly $50 billion in 2025, an 11 percent increase, according to President Tokayev.
Bilateral trade hit $27.2 billion in the first six months of 2026, up almost 25 percent year-on-year.
China is Kazakhstan's largest foreign trade partner.
Tokayev described the current level of Kazakh-Chinese relations as unprecedentedly high.

Strategic Partnership

Tokayev said China has always been and remains an exceptionally friendly country for Kazakhstan. He noted that the two countries share a long border and centuries of good-neighborly history. The president cited a Kazakh proverb: 'Those who walk the same road share one destiny.' He said such relations serve the fundamental interests of both peoples and are an important factor for peace and stability across Eurasia.

Trade Growth

Tokayev said bilateral trade continues to set new records. Trade volume approached $50 billion in 2025, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. In the first half of 2026, trade reached $27.2 billion, up nearly a quarter. China ranks first among Kazakhstan's foreign trade partners.