Ten years into the Belt and Road Initiative, the link between the Chinese mainland and Central Asia is evolving beyond railways and pipelines, powered by tech and innovation.
Green Energy Power-Up
The Chinese mainland and Central Asian nations have doubled down on renewable energy. From Kazakhstan’s Zhanatas wind farm to Kyrgyzstan’s Turgusun hydropower station and Uzbekistan’s Kaskelen photovoltaic park, these projects are charting a path toward a low-carbon future. A 2024 report by the Wind Energy Professional Committee of the Chinese Renewable Energy Society shows Uzbekistan leads as the top export market for wind turbine generators from the Chinese mainland. Meanwhile, discussions are underway for Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant, with China National Nuclear Corporation in the running for the contract.
Digital Trade Bridge
On the border of Kazakhstan and the Chinese mainland, the Horgos Yiwu International Trade City has morphed into a cross-border e-commerce hotspot. Over 50 live-streamers broadcast daily from Horgos, in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the Chinese mainland, showcasing everything from fashion to gadgets. By late 2024, the hub amassed over 5 million international followers and surpassed 100 million yuan in transactions. New initiatives—such as car exhibitions, on-site repairs, a traditional Chinese medicine center and vocational training in language and skills—are adding fresh layers to this digital marketplace.
Rail Links and Beyond
Trade isn’t just online—freight trains are rolling more often across Eurasia. China State Railway Group reports that 128 Chinese cities now connect to 229 cities in 26 European countries and over 100 cities across 11 Asian countries via the China–Europe freight train network. The service ships 53 product categories and over 50,000 varieties, with high-value goods like auto parts, mechanical equipment and electronics taking the lead.
Research from Liaoning University’s center for Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asian studies indicates that bilateral trade hit $94.8 billion in 2024 and is on track to reach $100 billion this year, driven by agriculture, new energy equipment and e-commerce.
As the second China–Central Asia Summit approaches, this wave of tech-driven collaboration is setting the stage for deeper cooperation and shared prosperity across borders.
Reference(s):
China, Central Asia see tech-aided growth with innovative partnerships
cgtn.com
