Tokayev sets $100 bln trade goal with China in Xinhua interview

September 9, 2026 at 10:58 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said in an interview with Xinhua published September 9, 2026, that Kazakhstan and China should raise bilateral trade to $100 billion. He described relations between the two countries as at an unprecedentedly high level. Tokayev also said Kazakhstan should shift from a transit economy to one of transport interconnectivity.

Key Facts

Tokayev said bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and China should reach $100 billion.
The interview was published by Xinhua on September 9, 2026.
Tokayev said Kazakhstan should move from a transit economy to an economy of transport interconnectivity.
Tokayev described Kazakh-Chinese relations as at an unprecedentedly high level.
Tokayev thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for his attitude toward Kazakhstan and understanding of its role as an influential Eurasian power.

Trade and Economic Goals

Tokayev said Kazakhstan and China intend to raise their strategic partnership to a new level, from increasing trade and developing transport corridors to industrial cooperation, artificial intelligence and high technologies. He stated that bilateral trade should be brought to $100 billion. Tokayev also said Kazakhstan should gradually transition from a transit economy to an economy of transport interconnectivity.

Bilateral Relations and Political Dialogue

Tokayev said relations between Kazakhstan and China are currently at an unprecedentedly high level. He noted that China has always been and remains an exceptionally friendly country for Kazakhstan, and that the two countries share a long border and centuries of good-neighborly history. Tokayev said history itself has predetermined that Kazakhstan and China should be together, support each other, and jointly build a bright future for their peoples. He expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for his kind attitude toward Kazakhstan and understanding of the country's role as an influential Eurasian power. Tokayev said the constant political dialogue between Astana and Beijing has become a key center of Kazakh-Chinese strategic partnership.