China is Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching a record $44bn in 2024. This growing economic partnership was at the center of talks held between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a high-level visit to Akorda. The meeting stressed the strength and stability of the Kazakh-Chinese relationship, which both leaders hailed as entering a new “golden period.”
President Tokayev welcomed Xi Jinping, calling him a “particularly respected guest” on Kazakh soil. He emphasized that the visit is a testament to the sincere and unwavering friendship between the two nations.
“The People's Republic of China is a good neighbor, close friend, and reliable partner of Kazakhstan,” Tokayev said. “Thanks to your personal support, our cooperation is growing at an unprecedented pace as part of a comprehensive and eternal strategic partnership.”
Tokayev reflected on the historical ties between the two countries, noting that relations have always been based on mutual respect, goodwill, and peaceful cooperation. He praised the Chinese leadership for never imposing political conditions and expressed appreciation for Beijing’s consistent support of Kazakhstan’s sovereignty and national security.
In his remarks, Tokayev commended Xi Jinping’s leadership, calling him a statesman of global stature and a key figure in China’s socio-economic transformation.
“The progressive development of your country is inextricably linked with your name,” he said. “We sincerely rejoice at your tremendous success in building socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new historical era.”
The two leaders discussed expanding cooperation in various sectors, including nuclear energy. Tokayev announced Kazakhstan’s intention to construct two or three nuclear power plants and identified China’s CNNC as a strategic partner in this endeavor. He highlighted Kazakhstan’s role as a key supplier of natural uranium and nuclear fuel to China and noted the recent creation of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Atomic Energy to oversee the initiative.
Cultural and humanitarian ties also featured prominently in the talks. Tokayev highlighted progress in establishing cultural centers, Lu Ban workshops, and Chinese university branches in Kazakhstan. He announced that 2025 will be celebrated as the Year of China Tourism in Kazakhstan, aiming to further strengthen people-to-people exchanges and deepen mutual understanding.
President Xi Jinping thanked Tokayev for the warm welcome and expressed admiration for Kazakhstan’s achievements. He emphasized that relations between the two countries have proven resilient despite global uncertainties, citing not only geographical proximity and historic ties but also a mutual need for joint development.
“In recent years, thanks to our joint efforts, the community of common destiny of China and Kazakhstan has been constantly enriched with new content,” Xi said. “I am ready to work with you to steadily strengthen the friendship between China and Kazakhstan.”
Both leaders noted the strong cooperation between their countries in multilateral organizations, including the United Nations, SCO, CICA, BRICS+, and the Central Asia – China format. Tokayev stressed that this collaboration contributes to regional and global stability, and expressed support for China’s peace-focused international initiatives.
The talks, held in an atmosphere of openness and mutual respect, concluded with the signing of 24 intergovernmental and interagency agreements. These agreements span key areas such as energy, digitalization, nuclear development, aerospace, customs regulation, agriculture, tourism, intellectual property, science, education, medicine, and regional cooperation.
Notably, the two sides also formalized agreements on investment protection and technical-economic cooperation, further solidifying the economic foundation of their strategic partnership.
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