The China–Kazakhstan Trade Panorama
The 2024 totals and leading products below use published Chinese government statistics to avoid mixing years and sources
Bilateral trade continued to grow in 2024; China is one of Kazakhstan's most important trading partners.
Leading Chinese exports to Kazakhstan in 2024. Source: China Ministry of Commerce country guide.
Leading Kazakh exports to China in 2024. Source: China Ministry of Commerce country guide.
The Golden Corridors of China–Kazakh Trade
Land ports and China–Europe rail form an efficient, stable cross-border logistics network
China–Europe Express Rail
Via the Alashankou–Dostyk and Khorgos–Altynkol dual corridors, linking China and Europe with rising volumes year on year.
Khorgos Port
In 2025 its rail port ran 9,882 China–Europe (Central Asia) trains with 14.237M tonnes of cargo, 27+ trains per day; import clearance is down to under 16 hours — the largest land port between China and Kazakhstan.
Dostyk / Altynkol
The Kazakh counterpart ports; a broad/gauge transshipment hub and a key node for energy and bulk cargo.
Key China–Kazakh Cooperation Directions
Cooperation across sectors — from capacity to agriculture — keeps deepening
Capacity & investment
CoreRefining, chemicals and vehicle assembly projects are landing, driving equipment and technology exports.
Agricultural modernization
High growthInvestment and trade in grains, oilseeds and livestock grow together; demand for farm imports is strong.
Energy & resources
CornerstoneOil, gas, uranium and metals have long been China's import priorities, with deep cooperation roots.
Infrastructure
SteadyHighway, rail and urban projects drive exports of construction machinery and materials.
Cross-border e-commerce
EmergingE-commerce platforms open retail channels, taking Chinese consumer goods straight to Kazakh end-markets.
Green energy
Forward-lookingSolar, wind and storage tie-ups are heating up, aligning with Kazakhstan's energy-transition strategy.
Where Import Demand Concentrates
Major import demand centers on a few economic hubs
Almaty
Almaty
Largest economic & import hub
Astana
Astana
Capital · infrastructure & government procurement
Shymkent
Shymkent
Southern industrial hub
Karaganda
Karaganda
Central mining & manufacturing
The Foundations of China–Kazakh Economic Ties
From state-level relations to the stock of investment — why Kazakhstan deserves long-term commitment
Permanent Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Since establishing ties in 1992, the relationship has risen to a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, with deep political trust.
Chinese direct investment stock: US$6.18B
By end-2024, ~5,000 Chinese-invested enterprises operated in Kazakhstan across manufacturing, energy, agriculture and infrastructure.
Visa-free travel · 36 sister cities
The mutual visa-waiver took effect Nov 2023; 36 sister-province/city pairs ease business travel.
"Export to China" theme country
In 2026 China's Ministry of Commerce invites Kazakhstan as the "Export to China" theme country, accelerating the goal to double bilateral trade.
Seize the China–Kazakh Cooperation Window
Frequent high-level exchanges; trade pacts and green channels keep bringing benefits
Belt and Road Initiative
Kazakhstan is where the BRI was first proposed; infrastructure, capacity and trade gain long-term policy backing.
Green channels & clearance ease
Priority categories like farm products enjoy fast clearance and mutual inspection recognition, raising trade efficiency.
Local-currency settlement
Higher shares of RMB/tenge settlement cut FX risk and ease bilateral fund flows.