Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke at the second Central Asia-China summit, expressing gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for the course of strengthening cooperation with the Central Asian regions. He also thanked the leaders of neighboring states for supporting regional partnership and active participation in the dialogue.
The head of state emphasized the strategic importance of reliable supply routes in the context of unstable geopolitics. According to him, Central Asia is becoming a logistics bridge between Asia and Europe: in 2024, the volume of transportation from China through the region exceeded 211 thousand containers (+ 12%), of which 85% passed through Kazakhstan. Particular attention is paid to the development of the Trans-Caspian route, the modernization of port infrastructure and the construction of cargo terminals.
The President noted that Kazakhstan, as a key link in the One Belt, One Road initiative, proposes to combine it with the Western China – Western Europe, TITR and North – South routes. The initiatives include the creation of a joint cargo terminal with China in the port of Kuryk on the Caspian Sea, the development of shipbuilding and the digitalization of logistics, which, according to Tokayev, will strengthen transcontinental connectivity and the competitiveness of the region.