Trade between China and Central Asia reached $95 billion in 2024, with Kazakhstan accounting for nearly half of that total, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin announced at the Second Meeting of the Central Asia-China Business Council in Astana on June 17.
According to Zhumangarin, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and China hit a record $44 billion, and both countries aim to double this volume in the coming years.
He emphasized Central Asia’s strategic role as a key transit hub for China, sitting at the crossroads of major trade and transport corridors connecting East and West, as well as North and South. Currently, over 80% of overland cargo traffic from China to Europe passes through Kazakhstan.
Middle Corridor Sees Sharp Growth
In 2024, cargo volume along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, increased by 60%, reaching 4.5 million tons. Plans are in place to double that figure to 10 million tons by 2030. The TITR links China and Europe through Central Asia, bypassing Russian territory.
Kazakhstan’s national railway operator, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), reported that railway freight between China and Kazakhstan totaled 14.2 million tons in the first five months of 2025, an 11% increase year-on-year.
A significant step in logistics development came on June 10 with the opening of the Zhetysu container terminal in Almaty. Jointly developed by Kazakhstan and China, the terminal is expected to serve as a key hub for the consolidation and distribution of Chinese goods transported by rail and road. It is poised to become a vital node along the Middle Corridor.
Digital Trade Expands
Zhumangarin also highlighted e-commerce as a key area of bilateral cooperation. Kazakhstan has already established national pavilions on major Chinese platforms such as Alibaba and JD.com. He confirmed Kazakhstan’s interest in participating in China’s initiative to launch a pilot zone for Silk Road e-commerce, aimed at facilitating digital trade across the region.
