Key facts
- Opening date
- May 16
- Average daily ridership
- Over 70,000
- Design-stage projection
- 25,000
- Local jobs created
- Over 2,000
- China-Kazakhstan trade 2025
- $48.7 billion
- Cumulative Chinese investment
- Over $30 billion
Background
Astana's light rail transit system opened its first phase on May 16, with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev taking a ride and thanking Chinese builders, quoting the proverb, 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.'
The project, managed by China Construction Sixth Engineering Bureau Co., applied Chinese standards and technologies across design, construction, equipment, and operations, including fully automated self-driving trains and intelligent dispatching.
Construction began in July 2023, with teams working through winter temperatures as low as -40°C, adapting materials and methods to local conditions.
Current situation
Average daily ridership has exceeded 70,000, well above the design-stage projection of 25,000, according to Ji Chenglong, executive manager of the project.
During construction, the project created more than 2,000 local jobs, with ongoing technical exchanges and on-the-job training tailored to the project's needs.
China-Kazakhstan trade reached a record $48.7 billion in 2025, up 11 percent year-on-year, according to Chinese figures. Cumulative Chinese investment has exceeded $30 billion, with more than 8,000 Chinese-backed enterprises operating in Kazakhstan.
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Average daily ridership | Over 70,000 |
| Design-stage projection | 25,000 |
| Local jobs created | Over 2,000 |
| China-Kazakhstan trade 2025 | $48.7 billion |
| Cumulative Chinese investment | Over $30 billion |
| Chinese-backed enterprises | Over 8,000 |
| Chinese visitors to Kazakhstan 2025 | Nearly 1 million |
Impacts
The light rail has improved residents' convenience and deepened understanding that infrastructure is about improving lives and promoting development, said Ji Chenglong.
Kazakh officials see China's achievements in economic development, digital transformation, and technological modernization as offering practical insights for Kazakhstan.
Bilateral cooperation has expanded from infrastructure and resource development to manufacturing and high-tech industries, with convergence in digitalization and artificial intelligence. Kazakhstan has designated 2026 as its Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
Manarbek Kabaziyev, deputy chairman of the board of the Foreign Policy Research Institute of Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry, said the next decade of Belt and Road cooperation should be evaluated by whether projects create lasting value, spur innovation, and strengthen trust.
If Kazakhstan builds on improved connectivity, it could develop a future-oriented modern economy with transportation corridors supporting trade and closer industrial, investment, and technological links.
A lasting strategic partnership may depend on mutual trust between peoples, strengthened by a visa-free agreement effective November 2023 and nearly 1 million Chinese visitors to Kazakhstan in 2025. Education cooperation, such as the Luban Workshop at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, could further solidify ties.
Source: chinadaily.com.cn
