{"id":2048251,"date":"2026-07-17T14:14:45","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T11:14:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2048251"},"modified":"2026-07-17T14:14:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T11:14:45","slug":"xi-hails-new-level-in-ties-as-china-and-kazakhstan-sign-e11-4bn-in-deals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2048251","title":{"rendered":"Xi hails &#8216;new level&#8217; in ties as China and Kazakhstan sign \u20ac11.4bn in deals"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/84\/17\/74\/1200x675_cmsv2_f9198882-3e01-564b-8f92-08654f2ac3e9-9841774.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2908624-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2908624\" data-cid=\"9838628\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2908624-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/22\/13\/189x106_cmsv2_ef869aea-2681-53cc-8b62-0be9af67ea3b-9832213.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Athens Photography Festival\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Athens Photo Festival: A polyphonic celebration of photography\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2910646-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2910646\" data-cid=\"9842086\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2910646-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/84\/20\/86\/189x106_cmsv2_820f1562-b408-5105-b7f7-eb9eb5497c24-9842086.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - FILE - A person uses a smart phone in Chicago, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo, File)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Your phone is destroying your thumbs \u2014 and here&#8217;s how to stop it\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2910594-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2910594\" data-cid=\"9841743\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2910594-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/84\/17\/43\/189x106_cmsv2_a2128fc3-f088-5315-8552-eff4417b1f87-9841743.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Hungarian Prime Minister P\u00e9ter Magyar in the parliament building in Budapest\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Rule of Law in Hungary shows \u2018radical change\u2019 under Magyar, EU says\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2910652-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2910652\" data-cid=\"9842153\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2910652-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/84\/21\/53\/189x106_cmsv2_4ceba52a-6f06-5d33-8c06-70b4aad1d62f-9842153.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Oscar-winning actress Brenda Fricker dies aged 81 \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Oscar-winning Irish actress Brenda Fricker dies aged 81\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2908624-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2908624\" data-cid=\"9838628\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2908624-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/22\/13\/189x106_cmsv2_ef869aea-2681-53cc-8b62-0be9af67ea3b-9832213.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Athens Photography Festival\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Athens Photo Festival: A polyphonic celebration of photography\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2910646-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2910646\" data-cid=\"9842086\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2910646-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/84\/20\/86\/189x106_cmsv2_820f1562-b408-5105-b7f7-eb9eb5497c24-9842086.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - FILE - A person uses a smart phone in Chicago, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo, File)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Your phone is destroying your thumbs \u2014 and here&#8217;s how to stop it\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2910594-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2910594\" data-cid=\"9841743\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2910594-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/84\/17\/43\/189x106_cmsv2_a2128fc3-f088-5315-8552-eff4417b1f87-9841743.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Hungarian Prime Minister P\u00e9ter Magyar in the parliament building in Budapest\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Rule of Law in Hungary shows \u2018radical change\u2019 under Magyar, EU says\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2910652-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2910652\" data-cid=\"9842153\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2910652-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/84\/21\/53\/189x106_cmsv2_4ceba52a-6f06-5d33-8c06-70b4aad1d62f-9842153.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Oscar-winning actress Brenda Fricker dies aged 81 \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Oscar-winning Irish actress Brenda Fricker dies aged 81\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          News<\/p>\n<p>                          World<\/p>\n<p>                          China<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Xi hails &#8216;new level&#8217; in ties as China and Kazakhstan sign \u20ac11.4bn in deals<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/84\/17\/74\/1536x864_cmsv2_f9198882-3e01-564b-8f92-08654f2ac3e9-9841774.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, 16 July 2026.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, 16 July 2026.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Copyright: Akorda presidential press service<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Copyright: Akorda presidential press service\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspTomiris Bilyal\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1784297685\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-07-17 16:14:45 +02:00\">17\/07\/2026 &#8211; 16:14 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-share-comment-popup\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup js-c-article-share-comment-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"Close Button\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-close\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content u-display-flex\">\n<div id=\"share-comment-popup-content-container\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__container u-display-flex\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"facebook\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Facebook<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" 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alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Xi Jinping and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed more than 70 commercial agreements on the sidelines of the World AI Conference in Shanghai, including Central Asia&#8217;s first battery plant with CATL and a new Caspian port terminal.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Kazakhstani counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev that bilateral relations had reached a new historic high during talks in Shanghai, as the two countries signed more than 70 commercial agreements worth over $13 billion (\u20ac11.4bn).<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Thanks to our joint efforts, the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan has reached a new level. There is still considerable room for further development,&#8221; Xi said on the sidelines of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference.<\/p>\n<p>Trade between the two countries has reached $49 billion (\u20ac42.8bn) annually, with cumulative Chinese investment in Kazakhstan exceeding $30 billion (\u20ac26.2bn). <\/p>\n<p>More than 8,500 Chinese-backed companies currently operate in Kazakhstan, as Beijing remains Astana&#8217;s largest trading partner. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our country is always ready to provide a business environment for Chinese investors. We guarantee legal protection for investments, modern infrastructure and a skilled workforce,&#8221; Tokayev said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.65390625\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/84\/17\/74\/808x528_cmsv2_4e4edf87-e9f6-54a7-b910-4459ae2cc446-9841774.jpg\" alt=\"Shanghai is hosting the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) from 17 to 20 July.  The event has attracted more than 1,400 guests and over 1,100 companies. \"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Shanghai is hosting the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) from 17 to 20 July.  The event has attracted more than 1,400 guests and over 1,100 companies. <\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Copyright: Akorda presidential press service<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Among the flagship deals, the two sides agreed to build Central Asia&#8217;s first battery manufacturing plant in partnership with Chinese electric vehicle battery giant CATL, alongside broader cooperation with Chinese automakers. <\/p>\n<p>A petrochemical complex with Sinopec, a corn processing plant with Fufeng Group and a cotton-textile cluster with Lihua Group are already under way. <\/p>\n<p>Kazakhstan and China also signed an agreement to jointly develop Kazakhstan&#8217;s first pumped-storage hydropower plant in the Kargaly River valley in the Almaty region.<\/p>\n<h3>Logistics remain a strategic advantage<\/h3>\n<p>Kazakhstan handled roughly 85% of rail freight between China and Europe last year, a position Tokayev said he wanted to turn into a strategic advantage. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Kazakhstan should become the main transport and logistics hub connecting China with Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East and Europe,&#8221; he said. <\/p>\n<p>The country is connected to 13 international transport corridors and the government has invested more than $35 billion in transport infrastructure over the past 15 years.<\/p>\n<p>Two new projects are designed to further expand that capacity. The Bakty-Ayagoz railway line will open an additional rail crossing on the Kazakhstani-Chinese border. <\/p>\n<p>At Kuryk Port on the Caspian Sea, China&#8217;s Guoyou Materials Group plans to build a multifunctional terminal with an annual capacity of 15 million tonnes. Kazakhstan and China also discussed establishing a joint venture to dredge the Caspian to maintain the port&#8217;s depth and utility.<\/p>\n<p>On the digital side, Kazakhstan is developing a Smart Cargo platform to integrate customs, logistics and commercial operations into a single digital system. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.60703125\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/84\/17\/74\/808x490_cmsv2_80b71ec6-3f4f-56eb-8312-48ece6e5023f-9841774.jpg\" alt=\"Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, 17 July 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, 17 July 2026.<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Copyright: Akorda presidential press service  <\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Tokayev also highlighted Alatau City, a new urban development built on a &#8220;Digital by Default&#8221; model featuring smart transport and digital payment infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>Tokayev used the AI conference setting to declare technology a national priority. &#8220;Today, it is no longer enough to rely on natural resources. Competitiveness is determined by technology, data and artificial intelligence,&#8221; he said. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">China set new records in trade and investment in Central Asia in 2025 <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Kazakhstan plans to boost Europe\u2013China trade route. Here\u2019s how<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Kazakhstan recorded a 27-million-tonne grain harvest, which Tokayev attributed in part to the spread of precision farming, drone monitoring and satellite crop management. More than 200 agricultural enterprises now operate as smart farms. <\/p>\n<p>The two countries signed a 2027\u20132030 trade and economic cooperation roadmap to govern future collaboration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Kazakhstan signs \u20ac10bn in deals with Europe as Tokayev wraps Brussels visit<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  China set new records in trade and investment in Central Asia in 2025 <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Xi hails &#8216;new level&#8217; in ties as China and Kazakhstan sign \u20ac11.4bn in deals<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Artificial intelligence<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  China<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Kazakhstan<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Investment<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2910560-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2910560\" data-cid=\"9841635\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2910560-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/84\/16\/35\/320x180_cmsv2_47a4eb95-93ab-511c-8194-ae650fd10025-9841635.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div 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<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2909298-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2909298\" data-cid=\"9835333\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The map predicting agricultural decline from climate change<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2910337-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2910337\" data-cid=\"9840453\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Three upgrades can make heat pumps &#8216;pay for themselves&#8217; in two years<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2910492-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2910492\" data-cid=\"9841210\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    China \u2018firmly opposes\u2019 UK nationalisation of British Steel<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2909976-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2909976\" data-cid=\"9838490\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Tokyo workers told to wear shorts to work to save on AC<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2910531-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2910531\" data-cid=\"9841409\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Qatar\u2019s air defence intercepts fresh Iranian missile barrage over Doha<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Kazakhstani counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev that bilateral relations had reached a new historic high during talks in Shanghai, as the two countries signed more than 70 commercial agreements worth over $13 billion (\u20ac11.4bn).&#8221;Thanks to our joint efforts, the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan has reached a new level. There is still considerable room for further development,&#8221; Xi said on the sidelines of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference.Trade between the two countries has reached $49 billion (\u20ac42.8bn) annually, with cumulative Chinese investment in Kazakhstan exceeding $30 billion (\u20ac26.2bn).More than 8,500 Chinese-backed companies currently operate in Kazakhstan, as Beijing remains Astana&#8217;s largest trading partner.&#8221;Our country is always ready to provide a business environment for Chinese investors. We guarantee legal protection for investments, modern infrastructure and a skilled workforce,&#8221; Tokayev said.Among the flagship deals, the two sides agreed to build Central Asia&#8217;s first battery manufacturing plant in partnership with Chinese electric vehicle battery giant CATL, alongside broader cooperation with Chinese automakers.A petrochemical complex with Sinopec, a corn processing plant with Fufeng Group and a cotton-textile cluster with Lihua Group are already under way.Kazakhstan and China also signed an agreement to jointly develop Kazakhstan&#8217;s first pumped-storage hydropower plant in the Kargaly River valley in the Almaty region.Logistics remain a strategic advantageKazakhstan handled roughly 85% of rail freight between China and Europe last year, a position Tokayev said he wanted to turn into a strategic advantage.&#8221;Kazakhstan should become the main transport and logistics hub connecting China with Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East and Europe,&#8221; he said.The country is connected to 13 international transport corridors and the government has invested more than $35 billion in transport infrastructure over the past 15 years.Two new projects are designed to further expand that capacity. The Bakty-Ayagoz railway line will open an additional rail crossing on the Kazakhstani-Chinese border.At Kuryk Port on the Caspian Sea, China&#8217;s Guoyou Materials Group plans to build a multifunctional terminal with an annual capacity of 15 million tonnes. Kazakhstan and China also discussed establishing a joint venture to dredge the Caspian to maintain the port&#8217;s depth and utility.On the digital side, Kazakhstan is developing a Smart Cargo platform to integrate customs, logistics and commercial operations into a single digital system.Tokayev also highlighted Alatau City, a new urban development built on a &#8220;Digital by Default&#8221; model featuring smart transport and digital payment infrastructure.Tokayev used the AI conference setting to declare technology a national priority. &#8220;Today, it is no longer enough to rely on natural resources. Competitiveness is determined by technology, data and artificial intelligence,&#8221; he said.Kazakhstan recorded a 27-million-tonne grain harvest, which Tokayev attributed in part to the spread of precision farming, drone monitoring and satellite crop management. More than 200 agricultural enterprises now operate as smart farms.The two countries signed a 2027\u20132030 trade and economic cooperation roadmap to govern future collaboration.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/07\/17\/xi-hails-new-level-in-ties-as-china-and-kazakhstan-sign-114bn-in-deals&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/84\/17\/74\/1200x675_cmsv2_f9198882-3e01-564b-8f92-08654f2ac3e9-9841774.jpg&#8221;] Culture news Athens Photo Festival: A polyphonic celebration of photography Tech News Your phone is destroying your thumbs \u2014 and here&#8217;s how to stop it Europe News Rule of Law in Hungary shows \u2018radical change\u2019 under Magyar, EU says Culture news Oscar-winning Irish actress Brenda Fricker dies aged 81 Culture news Athens [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2048251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2048251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2048251"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2048251\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2048251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2048251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2048251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}