ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s vision for deeper Kazakhstan-China cooperation, the Middle Corridor, and more.
Astana. Photo credit: The Astana Times
Tokayev links Kazakhstan-China partnership to wider vision for a more connected and cooperative Eurasia
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has used the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek and a wide-ranging interview with China’s Xinhua news agency to set out a closely connected vision of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy – combining deeper economic and technological cooperation with China with a broader commitment to multilateralism, Eurasian connectivity and reform of global institutions, reported EU Reporter on Sept. 2.
Speaking as leaders gathered in Bishkek for the 26th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and its SCO Plus format, Tokayev presented Kazakhstan as both a committed regional partner and an increasingly active “middle power” seeking to bridge geopolitical divisions.
CPC: Total freight traffic volume along Middle Corridor increased ninefold compared to 2021
The Middle Corridor has demonstrated impressive growth dynamics in recent years, with total cargo volume transported along the route reaching 4.12 million tons by 2025, which is nine times higher than in 2021, Report informed on Sept. 1, citing an article by the Caspian Policy Center (CPC).
The author indicates that nearly all of this cargo flow passed through the Caspian Sea, making developed port infrastructure and adequate maritime capacity defining factors for the route’s viability. Delays at border crossing points and Caspian ports effectively caused an 8.4% drop in transport volumes in 2024, vividly demonstrating the acute need for infrastructure modernization.
Kazakhstan enters a new political era after historic parliamentary reform
Kazakhstan held its first parliamentary election on Aug. 23, electing 145 deputies to the country’s new Parliament, the Kurultai. The election followed a nationwide referendum in March, which approved a new Constitution that replaced Kazakhstan’s bicameral Parliament with the Kurultai. The new Constitution came into force on July 1, Euronews reported on Sept. 1.
The name of the new Parliament also had historical significance.
“Kurultai is a concept and a name that is characteristic of the steppe culture and Turkic civilisation. It reflects our national identity and shows respect for history,” said Nurgazy Anuarbekov, expert at the Kazakhstan Institute of Public Development.
President Tokayev highlights Singapore’s experience for new Astana International Airport
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed plans for a new modern airport in Astana and the use of Singapore’s aviation expertise during a meeting with Senior Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong at Akorda, reported In Diplomacy on Sept. 1.
The discussion also covered political reforms, investment, transport and logistics, as well as cooperation in artificial intelligence and digitalization.
Kazakhstan completes connection section on key Middle Corridor railway line
Track connection has been completed on the Moyynty–Kyzylzhar railway line in Kazakhstan, which will become an important link in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR or Middle Corridor), Trend reported on Sept. 3.
“The new 323.3-kilometer railway line will run through the Ulytau and Karagandy regions. Once commissioned, it will become an important link in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, improving regional connectivity and the efficiency of freight transportation,” the government said.
The project will shorten freight routes by 149 kilometers, reduce the load on the Moyynty-Zharyk railway section, increase the speed of container trains and expand capacity for freight and transit transportation. According to the approved schedule, the railway line is scheduled to be commissioned this year.
