China-Kazakhstan cooperation shows benefits in trade and cross-cultural exchanges

China–Kazakhstan cooperation is enabling people in both countries to buy each other's products and travel under a mutual visa-free arrangement, while also opening a broader space for collaboration across multiple fields, an expert from Kazakhstan said.

Madina Nurgaliyeva, director of the Institute for Social Policy Studies of Kazakhstan's Amanat Party, said the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan is benefiting ordinary people.

Beyond trade figures, people-to-people ties are deepening under the mutual visa-free arrangement. "In summer, Chinese tourists can take the Xi'an–Almaty tourist charter train to visit, and people in Kazakhstan can also enjoy high-quality Tsingtao beer," Nurgaliyeva said.

According to Nurgaliyeva, Chinese automobiles are highly popular with consumers, now holding a 23 percent market share in Kazakhstan. She told China Daily that she herself is a loyal user of Chinese cars. Ten years ago, when there were only a few in Almaty, she bought one; two years ago, she purchased another for her daughter — a vivid example of friendly exchanges and practical cooperation taking root in daily life.

More than 100 Kazakh companies participated in the China International Import Expo (CIIE), according to Arman Shakkaliyev, Kazakhstan's Minister of Trade and Integration — the largest delegation the country has ever sent.

Data from Kazakhstan's Trade Policy Development Center show that in recent years the total value of contracts signed by the Kazakh side at the CIIE has reached $307 million.