China and Kazakhstan signed more than 70 commercial agreements on Friday during the World AI Conference in Shanghai [1].
The deals represent a strategic shift to integrate Central Asia into China's digital and industrial supply chains. By focusing on artificial intelligence and green energy, both nations are attempting to modernize regional infrastructure while reducing reliance on traditional Western technology.
The agreements carry a reported value of €11.4 billion [1], though other reports estimate the total at $15 billion [3]. These partnerships span multiple sectors, including digital infrastructure, transport logistics, and artificial intelligence [2].
A central component of the deal is the establishment of Central Asia’s first battery plant, developed in partnership with CATL [1]. This project aims to position Kazakhstan as a hub for electric vehicle components and energy storage in the region.
In addition to energy projects, the two countries agreed to build a new Caspian port terminal [1]. This facility is intended to streamline transport logistics and enhance the flow of goods between China and European markets via the Caspian Sea.
President Xi Jinping and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the pacts on the sidelines of the conference signal a new level of bilateral cooperation [1], [2]. The focus on high-tech sectors reflects a broader effort to accelerate cooperation in digital assets and AI-driven governance [2].
“China and Kazakhstan signed more than 70 commercial agreements on Friday.”
This agreement signals China's intent to move beyond raw material extraction in Central Asia toward high-value industrial partnerships. By exporting CATL's battery technology and investing in Caspian port infrastructure, Beijing is securing both the energy transition and the physical trade routes necessary for its long-term economic strategy in Eurasia.
