President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with the heads of four leading Chinese corporations representing key sectors of the modern economy of the Celestial Empire.

The talks were attended by Yin Caiwan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hong Kong Sino-Science Oil and Gas; Chen Sheng, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of VNET Group; Tian Jiashu, head of Shanghai Junhe Atomic Technology; and Li Shan, head of Silk Road Finance Corporation. The very composition of the delegation eloquently testifies to the fact that the dialogue went far beyond protocol conversations: what is at stake is the formation of a new architecture of bilateral cooperation, in which technology, innovation, and the joint creation of production chains come to the fore.

The central topic of discussion was the prospects for the joint implementation of projects in the energy sector, digital transformation, and the financial sector. Opening the meeting, the Head of State noted the unprecedented dynamics of the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and China, but emphasized the need for a qualitative change in its content. According to the President, relations between the two countries must be filled with ever deeper technological and industrial meaning, and the presence at the negotiating table of the heads of major Chinese corporations serves as a reliable indicator of the high level of trust in Kazakhstan on the part of the international business community.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed special words of gratitude to Yin Caiwan and the company Hong Kong Sino-Science Oil and Gas for their substantial personal contribution to the organization of the "Kazakhstan – China" investment forum. It is noteworthy that this very company, over the years of its presence in the Kazakhstani market, has invested more than three billion US dollars in the national economy, establishing itself as one of the systemically important players in the domestic oil and gas industry. Its experience serves as a clear example of how long-term capital investments are transformed into a sustainable industrial partnership.

A completely different dimension of cooperation was outlined during the conversation with Chen Sheng. Representatives of VNET Group expressed interest in participating in the creation of a large-scale cluster of data centers and digital infrastructure for artificial intelligence on the territory of Kazakhstan. This area is of strategic importance for the country, which is striving to take a worthy place in the global digital economy. The President confirmed the readiness of the Kazakhstani side for comprehensive cooperation with VNET Group, covering the attraction of investments, the localization of advanced technologies, the conduct of joint research and development work, the training of personnel, and the formation of specialized centers of competence.

Another promising vector of technological partnership was outlined in the dialogue with Shanghai Junhe Atomic Technology. This concerns the peaceful use of atomic energy — a sphere in which Kazakhstan intends to build a full production cycle. The parties emphasized the importance of forming a closed technological chain: from the processing of natural uranium and the production of nuclear fuel to the assembly of small modular reactors. Such an approach will allow the country not only to meet its growing needs for clean energy but also to become a full-fledged player in the global market for nuclear technologies.

The participants in the meeting highly appreciated Kazakhstan's consistent measures to improve the investment climate and its large-scale institutional reforms. According to the heads of the Chinese companies, the improvement of state institutions serves not merely as an administrative process but as an important confirmation of the country's long-term stability and creates reliable guarantees for doing business. It is precisely for this reason that representatives of Chinese capital declared their firm readiness to increase investments both in the traditional energy sector and in new high-tech industries oriented toward the sustainable development of Kazakhstan.

Thus, the meeting that took place became not merely another stage in the bilateral dialogue but a kind of declaration of intentions: Kazakhstan and China are moving from the model of "resources in exchange for capital" to the model of jointly creating technologies and industries of the future.

Prepared by Rishat MAKHSUTOV