Beyond Belt and Road: Xi Jinping’s Kazakhstan visit reveals growing security agenda
Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay an official visit to Kazakhstan on June 16-17 at the invitation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The visit will include high-level talks focused on strengthening and expanding the strategic partnership between the two countries. On June 17, Astana will host the second Central Asia-China summit, with the participation of regional leaders.
Central Asia-China vs. C5+1 platform
The first Central Asia-China summit was held on May 18, 2023, in Xi’an. The format mirrored the ministerial-level C5+1 diplomatic platform established in 2015 between the U.S. and the five Central Asian nations but included heads of state. At the summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping offered support to the five presidents on domestic security and national defense, areas where they have traditionally relied on Russia for assistance.
This marked a shift in Beijing’s approach, which has historically prioritized economic engagement in Central Asia through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also known as the One Belt, One Road or New Silk Road initiative. Notably, Xi first announced the BRI during a speech at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan in September 2013.
Kazakhstan’s growing ties with China
President Xi’s first international trip since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was also to Kazakhstan at the invitation of his Kazakh counterpart. The two leaders have established and maintained good rapport; President Tokayev, who is fluent in Chinese, has revealed that he regularly reads and speaks the language during his meetings with Xi.
China is Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner and the top importer of Kazakhstani goods. Bilateral trade between the two nations reached a record $41 billion in 2023.
In an article published ahead of his state visit to Kazakhstan in July 2024, Xi Jinping highlighted a renewed surge in people-to-people and cultural exchanges. He cited three «envoys of friendship» symbolizing ties between Kazakhstan and China in the new era: the highly respected ophthalmologist Dr. Saulebek Kabibekov; Ruslan Tulenov, known as the «panda man,» who voluntarily donated his rare blood type in China; and internationally acclaimed singer Dimash Qudaibergen.
Earlier reporting by Kursiv.media highlighted the launch of a tourist train between China’s Xi’an and Kazakhstan’s Almaty. Kazakhstan has become increasingly popular with Chinese travelers. In 2024, the number of Chinese guests staying in Kazakhstani hotels rose 66% year-on-year. In 2023 alone, 650,000 Chinese citizens visited Kazakhstan, a ninefold increase over the past five years.
Since 2023, Kazakhstan and China have maintained a mutual visa-free travel regime.
