China - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 616

Kazakhstan and China Set to Expand Trade and E-Commerce

Trade between Kazakhstan and China continues to grow, reaching $43.8 billion in 2024, according to China’s General Administration of Customs. Kazakhstan’s exports to China amounted to $15.8 billion, marking a 9% increase from the previous year. These figures were announced by Han Chunlin, China’s newly appointed ambassador to Kazakhstan, during a meeting with Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev on February 8. “This trend confirms our steady progress toward the ambitious goal of doubling bilateral trade turnover in the near future,” the ambassador stated. Strengthening Trade and E-Commerce Cooperation The meeting focused on expanding Kazakh-Chinese trade and economic cooperation, with particular emphasis on e-commerce platforms. Shakkaliyev highlighted that bilateral trade reached a historic high in 2024 and reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to diversifying its exports while expanding the range of products supplied to China. He also announced plans for trade and economic missions in 2025, alongside Kazakhstan’s participation in major exhibitions in China. A key discussion point was the development of online trade through leading Chinese e-commerce platforms, including JD.com, Alibaba, and Douyin. Kazakhstan’s Growing Presence in Chinese E-Commerce Alibaba: Launched in 2022, Kazakhstan’s dedicated section on Alibaba now includes 290 domestic companies offering over 7,500 products. Total sales on the platform have already surpassed $260 million. JD.com: In 2023, JD.com opened a Kazakhstan section, featuring over 60 products. Revenue from Kazakhstani goods sold on the platform grew from RMB 1 million in 2023 to RMB 1.3 million in 2024. Kazakhstan’s e-commerce industry has seen rapid growth in recent years. According to the Ministry of Trade and Integration, online transactions from January to November 2024 totaled approximately 3.2 trillion KZT (over $6 billion), accounting for 14.5% of total retail trade. As Kazakhstan strengthens its trade ties with China, digital commerce is expected to play an increasingly important role in bilateral economic relations.

China Bilateral Relations Agricultural Export economic Agriculture

Kyrgyzstan to Export Agricultural Products to China

On February 6, in Beijing, Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, Bakyt Torobayev, and China’s Head of the General Administration of Customs, Sun Meijun, signed protocols allowing the export of Kyrgyz agricultural products to China. The approved goods include beans, wool, cashmere, poultry meat, and offal. Torobayev emphasized that these agreements represent an important step forward in strengthening trade and economic ties between Kyrgyzstan and China. According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, trade turnover between the two countries nearly tripled from 2019 to 2023, reaching $5.433 billion - a 31.6% increase from 2022. In January-November 2024, bilateral trade continued to grow, rising by 6.9%. The Kyrgyz minister expressed optimism about the early signing of additional export protocols for dried fruits, fresh fruits, vegetables, berries, raw cattle hides, and heat-treated meat. "We are confident that these goods will be in demand in the Chinese market," he stated. To facilitate trade, Torobayev proposed establishing a Chinese certification body’s representative office in Kyrgyzstan to simplify the certification process for Kyrgyz exports to China. During his visit to Beijing, Torobayev also met with Jilin Teyan Biotechnology Co., Ltd., a Chinese manufacturer of veterinary vaccines, to discuss the supply of vaccines to Kyrgyzstan. The company expressed interest in building a vaccine production plant in Kyrgyzstan to manufacture treatments for cattle and poultry diseases. These discussions took place as part of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov’s state visit to China from February 4 to 7. During a meeting on February 5, Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s commitment to expanding economic, trade, and investment cooperation with Kyrgyzstan and expressed China’s willingness to import more high-quality agricultural products from the country.

Visits of Chinese Tourists to Kazakhstan Surged in 2024

In 2024, 655,000 Chinese tourists visited Kazakhstan, representing a 78% increase compared to the previous year, Nurtas Karipbayev, chairman of the Tourism Industry Committee at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan, announced at a press conference on February 6. The surge in visitors comes as Kazakhstan declared 2024 the "Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China", an initiative aimed at strengthening cultural and economic ties between the two countries. The program promoted Kazakhstan as a travel destination and facilitated collaborations between tourism industry stakeholders from both nations. As part of the initiative, leading Chinese media and social networks - with a combined audience exceeding 1.3 billion people - broadcast and published content about Kazakhstan, significantly boosting its appeal among Chinese travelers, Karipbayev stated. He noted that Almaty was the most popular destination for Chinese tourists in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan also participated in four major tourism exhibitions in China: ITB China, ITE Hong Kong, COTTM, and the China International Medical Tourism Fair. These events helped establish new partnerships with leading Chinese tour operators. "Throughout the year, various Kazakh cities and regions hosted 10 major presentation tours. These events further heightened interest in Kazakhstan. Participation in tourism exhibitions and the organization of informational tours remain key priorities in our collaboration," Karipbayev said. The increase in tourist flow was further supported by the mutual visa-free travel regime, which took effect in November 2023. Under this arrangement, Kazakh and Chinese citizens can travel visa-free for up to 30 days per visit, with a maximum stay of 90 calendar days within a 180-day period. The agreement covers tourism, medical treatment, business trips, and transit travel. Following the success of 2024, the governments of Kazakhstan and China have designated 2025 as the "Year of China Tourism in Kazakhstan", aiming to further expand travel and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Kyrgyzstan Facilitates Group Travel Tourism from China

On February 4, Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce and China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism signed a memorandum in Beijing aimed at facilitating organized group travel from China to Kyrgyzstan. The agreement was signed during Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov’s state visit to China and is expected to boost Kyrgyzstan’s tourism industry and contribute to economic growth. According to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce, 127,956 Chinese citizens visited the country in 2024, marking a 56% increase from 70,842 visitors in 2023. China has also included Kyrgyzstan on its list of recommended destinations for individual Chinese travelers. In October 2024, Kyrgyzstan introduced a visa-free regime for organized Chinese tour groups for stays of up to 21 days. The move aims to strengthen Kyrgyz-Chinese public diplomacy and enhance the country’s appeal to one of the world’s largest outbound tourism markets. Kyrgyzstan’s tourism industry has been experiencing steady growth in recent years. The country was expected to welcome more than 10.5 million foreign tourists in 2024, up from 8.5 million in 2023. In the first eight months of 2024, Kyrgyzstan recorded 6.1 million foreign visitors, with the majority coming from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Other significant sources of tourists included Turkey, China, India, Germany, Pakistan, the United States, and South Korea.

Guest Opinion: The View From China on Kyrgyzstan

The 9th Asian Winter Games will kick off in Harbin on February 7, 2025. According to the organizing committee, 1,275 athletes from 34 Asian countries and regions have registered to compete, making it the largest event in the event’s history. The record-high participation partly reflects the growing appeal of winter sports across Asia and showcases the continent’s diversity and unity. Among those attending the event is the delegation from Kyrgyzstan, which is sending around 50 athletes to compete in biathlon, alpine skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, and curling. As this edition of the Asian Winter Games is set to open, the spotlight is not just on the athletes from across the continent, but also on the broader regional ties the event symbolizes. Indeed, in a world where the level of geopolitical uncertainties is high, some partnerships stand the test of time. At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov will pay a state visit to China from February 4 to 7. Over the past three decades or so, China and Kyrgyzstan have navigated global challenges while steadily strengthening their ties. Through frequent high-level exchanges and growing cooperation across multiple sectors, the two nations have built a bond that’s only grown stronger over the past three decades. At the heart of this partnership are Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, whose meetings over the years have deepened mutual trust. Back in February 2022, Japarov visited China to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics opening ceremony and held talks with Xi. Later that year, in September, they met again at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Samarkand. In 2023, Japarov made a state visit to China and attended the China-Central Asia Summit. It was during this visit that both nations decided to elevate their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era. Their most recent bilateral meeting took place in July 2024 during the SCO Summit, with Japarov's state visit to China now taking place from February 4 to 7. Economic Ties China has consistently been Kyrgyzstan's top trading partner - primary import-based - and biggest investor. The two nations continue to strengthen cooperation in energy, transportation, and agriculture, driving regional economic integration. Chinese enterprises in construction, oil refining, cement, and mining have been investing in Kyrgyzstan over the years, and their investments yield tangible results. Trade between China and Kyrgyzstan has been on an upward trajectory. From January to November 2024, bilateral trade reached $19.86 billion, an 11% increase year-on-year, showcasing a positive trend in economic cooperation. A long-anticipated project, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway, has finally moved from vision to reality. Once completed, this railway will serve as a crucial trade corridor, enhancing regional connectivity and providing a major boost to Kyrgyzstan’s economic development. Additionally, the partial opening of the Bedel Pass, increasing direct flights between Chinese and Kyrgyz cities, and improved cross-border transportation all contribute to smoother trade and travel between the two countries. Chinese-funded infrastructure projects, such as road network...

Japarov Highlights China as Key Trade and Investment Partner for Kyrgyzstan

Ahead of his state visit to China, which began on February 4, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov highlighted the strategic partnership between the two countries in an interview with Xinhua news agency. He described China as one of Kyrgyzstan’s main trade and investment partners. The full interview was published on Japarov’s official website. Strengthening Bilateral Ties Japarov underscored the value of the long-standing comprehensive strategic partnership between Kyrgyzstan and China. "In recent years, our countries have significantly strengthened mutual trust and built a relationship based on good neighborliness, friendship, and productive cooperation," he said. One of the most significant projects in Kyrgyz-Chinese cooperation is the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, officially launched in Kyrgyzstan on December 27, 2024. Japarov emphasized that the railway aligns with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative and reflects the high level of political trust between the three countries. "This route is more than just a transport corridor. It will facilitate the delivery of goods from China to Kyrgyzstan and further to Central Asia, the Middle East, Turkey, Europe, and beyond. It will also allow our products to reach South and Southeast Asia," he stated. Expanding Economic Cooperation Japarov reiterated that China has long been one of Kyrgyzstan’s key trade and investment partners. In 2024, bilateral trade turnover reached $22.71 billion. He expressed support for expanding Kyrgyz-Chinese economic cooperation in various sectors, including agriculture, the processing industry, energy, and environmental protection. He also advocated for increased collaboration between regions, the creation of a banking and financial platform, and the development of e-commerce. Enhancing Trade and Border Connectivity To improve trade efficiency, Kyrgyzstan and China are working to increase the transit capacity of the two existing border checkpoints - Torugart and Irkeshtam. Japarov also expressed hope that opening a third border checkpoint at Bedel would further boost trade flows between China and Central Asia. He noted that trade and economic cooperation have accelerated, as seen in the extended working hours at the Torugart and Irkeshtam checkpoints. Previously, the Chinese side operated these crossings for eight hours a day, five days a week. However, in 2024, they transitioned to 14-hour operations, seven days a week. "Since March 1, 2024, the Kyrgyz side has switched to a round-the-clock working schedule at both Torugart and Irkeshtam. We expect our Chinese partners to follow suit," Japarov said. Agricultural and Digital Trade Initiatives Japarov also highlighted ongoing efforts to promote the export of Kyrgyzstan’s environmentally friendly agricultural products to China. Additionally, both countries are implementing the Two Countries, Two Parks project in Kyrgyzstan’s Naryn region, linking the Kashgar (China) and Naryn (Kyrgyzstan) free economic zones. The initiative aims to enhance e-commerce between Kyrgyzstan and China’s Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region.