Published on: 2026-05-30
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
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Almaty, May 30 /Xin Hua/ — Almaty region, bordering China and possessing significant transit potential, attaches great importance to its role in bilateral cooperation and is actively working to become a center of interregional cooperation. This was stated by the akim of Almaty region of Kazakhstan, Marat Sultangaziev, in an exclusive interview with Xin Hua agency in the city of Konaev, the administrative center of the region.
According to M. Sultangaziev, such a geographical position imposes special responsibility on the region in developing bilateral cooperation. Sino-Kazakh relations have entered a new “Golden Thirty Years,” which creates a favorable basis and new opportunities for strengthening interregional ties. Currently, trade-economic and humanitarian cooperation between the Almaty region and China demonstrates broad prospects.
As the akim reported, the trade turnover of the Almaty region with China has been steadily exceeding 1 billion US dollars for several years. In 2025, this figure amounted to 1.2 billion US dollars, and this year, further growth is expected. Currently, the parties are discussing more than 40 investment projects that will give a new impetus to bilateral cooperation.
M. Sultangaziev stated that the Almaty region signed memorandums on cooperation and twinning with eight provincial-level regions of China. The parties have formed sustainable mechanisms of interaction in the fields of industry, agriculture, and logistics. At the same time, the processing of agricultural products remains one of the traditional directions of cooperation between the region and its Chinese partners. A number of joint projects are already being implemented in the region and contribute to the development of sustainable production cooperation.
Speaking about logistics, M. Sultangaziyev noted that the Kalzhat customs post, located on the territory of the region and connected with the Chinese side, has already been expanded, and its throughput capacity has almost tripled. In addition, a developed network of railways and highways connects the region with other border crossings and provides transit of cargo to other regions of Kazakhstan, Central Asian countries, and Europe.
According to the akim, the region is actively developing regional logistics infrastructure and has significantly increased warehouse and transshipment capacities, which allows providing services such as labeling, sorting, weighing, and transshipment for Chinese cargo.
M. Sultangaziev also reported that in terms of the number of foreign tourists received, the Almaty region ranks third in Kazakhstan. Against the backdrop of the introduction of a mutual visa-free regime between Kazakhstan and China, the flow of Chinese tourists has increased significantly.
Almaty region is actively promoting its tourism potential and inviting Chinese tourists, while also regularly sending delegations to various provinces of China with cultural programs, M. Sultangaziyev stated.
The city of Alatau, located in the territory of the Almaty region, is a new city created by decree of the President of Kazakhstan. According to the development plan, the largest special economic zone in the country will be established here. As M. Sultangaziyev reported, the city of Shenzhen participated in the development of the Alatau concept, and the city management bodies maintain close contacts with the Shenzhen administration. Recently, the first tests of an unmanned taxi by a Chinese company were conducted here, he said.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). According to the akim, over the past 25 years the SCO has played an important role in maintaining regional stability and strengthening mutual trust among member states, as well as providing a platform for the development of economic cooperation between them.
As a border nodal region of Kazakhstan, the Almaty region focuses on economic development opportunities within the framework of the SCO. “We always invite our neighbors to visit our region as guests and tourists, and further on—as partners and investors,” concluded M. Sultangaziev.
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