China is intensifying economical expansion in Central Asia, focusing on mining, infrastructure, logistics and organization cooperation. fresh data indicate a dynamic increase in Chinese investments, the number of joint ventures and strategical projects in the region.
Chinese entities search to grow joint venture activities and corporate acquisitions in Central Asia. In Kazakhstan, the mining sector is at the centre of China's interest. Zhejiang Mining dense manufacture Co., Ltd. signed a conditional contract to acquisition Kazakh joint venture Alaigyr LLP for 29.15 billion tige (about $57 million). Alaigyr has mining rights to large deposits of silver and lead and licenses to research 2 further deposits.
Otherwise, a consortium of Chinese companies announced the acquisition for $1.8 million of Kazakh Spetzpostavka Absolute, having rights to tungsten and uranium deposits in the Kordai region, as well as approval to research rare, non-ferrous and noble metals in the Zambalian region. Local experts indicate that the apparent disparity between the possible value of purchased assets and the comparatively low acquisition prices is due to the undercapitalisation of Kazakh companies. In the case of Alaigyr, the crucial debt of the company that Zhejiang will take over is besides an crucial factor.
According to LS, citing regional business association Aqjaiyq, a group of Chinese companies plans to launch 14 production projects with a full value of 52.2 billion tenge (about 102 million dollars) in the West Kazakh region.
W The number of Chinese-Uzbek joint ventures and Chinese companies has more than doubled in the last 2 years – from 2337 in 2023 to 5044 in 2025, according to authoritative statistics. In erstwhile years, this figure increased on average by 100–200 entities per year. Chinese companies now account for more than a 4th of all abroad companies and joint ventures operating in the country.
The delegation of the Center for Chinese-Asian Cooperation for Desert Prevention and Control visited Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to make joint projects on water resources management and effective agricultural practices, informs DKnews.kz. Following the completion of the visit, the centre, established in the PRC, announced the organisation of 2 training seminars in China for Central Asian professionals and 2 training courses in the region. The centre was created by decree of Xi Jinping, based on the priorities announced during the second China–Central Asia summit in 2025.
The Chinese Higher Vocational and method School in Weinan held training workshops for farmers and representatives of the agricultural sector from 5 Central Asian countries, presenting modern Chinese agricultural technologies and practices. Over the last 3 years, 300 farmers from the region have participated in these trainings.
The president of Kazakh Railways (KTZ) met with Ambassador Chin Han Chunlin in Astana to discuss existing transport bottlenecks, in peculiar delays in freight transport to China. The talks besides afraid the expansion of rail connections between the 2 countries. The Ambassador has not made concrete declarations, limiting himself to the promise of continuing joint efforts. Despite transit problems, bilateral rail traffic increased by 11% in 2025, reaching 35.6 million tonnes. Intermodal traffic on the Transcaspian global Transport way (TITR) increased by 15%.
Senate Kazakhstan has ratified the Regional Convention on designation of Qualifications, which is intended to facilitate the designation of Kazakh diplomas, degrees and another qualifications in the Asia-Pacific region, including China. A seminar on the protection and promotion of intangible cultural heritage was besides held in Beijing in preparation for the 2026 Intercultural Year of Kazakhstan and China, including festivals, educational programs and cultural exchange projects.
Freight traffic on the legs of the Central Corridor passing through Uzbekistan almost doubled from about 500 000 tonnes in 2020 to over 1 million tonnes in 2025. Freight traffic between Uzbekistan and China through Kyrgyzstan increased from 34 000 tonnes to 1.8 million tonnes in the same period.
The Tashkent Industrial region Directorate and the Chinese National economical and Technological improvement region Szyhezi have signed agreements to make a common warehouse and logistics centre and exhibition centre to advance trade. Uzbek president Szawkat Mirzijoev signed a law ratifying the agreement to establish a permanent secretariat of the C5+China cooperation platform.
A delegation of Uzbek government agencies liable for promoting the textile and leather manufacture visited respective Chinese provinces to research commercial opportunities. The only concrete consequence was the agreement to visit the Chinese delegation to Uzbekistan in late 2026. The first flight on a fresh passenger way from Kashgar to Tashkent was held on 14 January. The call will be made erstwhile a week.
Chinese president Xi Jinping is to visit Kyrgyzstann in 2026 – said abroad Minister Djeenbek Kulubajew. According to the Eurasian improvement Bank, Chinese net investments in Kyrgyzstan amounted to $2.1 billion at the end of 2025. The construction of the second Kambarata-2 hydro power plant block, mainly carried out by Chinese contractors, takes place on schedule.
Turkmenistan Talvas Yoly Co. and the Turkish Logistics Association announced the launch of preparations for the Turkmen-Chinese Business Forum and exhibitions scheduled for 28-30 April 2026. The city of Aszchabad received 194 Chinese vehicles intended to operate municipal services, including garbage trucks, sweepers, mobile workshops and city buses.
Source: Eurasianet
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