Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev led the regional pivot, offering Astana as the host for the first annual meeting of the newly formed World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO). Praising China’s dominance in patents and research, Tokayev secured a portfolio of deals worth over $15 billion. These agreements span critical sectors, including a multifunctional terminal at the Caspian port of Kuryk, hydroelectric facilities in the Almaty region, and manufacturing partnerships for electric vehicles with Chery Holding Group.
China Secures AI Foothold in Central Asia
As Beijing pushes to define the global architecture of artificial intelligence, Central Asian leaders are rapidly aligning with Chinese standards. At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan joined a Chinese-led cooperative body, signaling a shift in the region's technological orientation.
While Kazakhstan emerged as the primary beneficiary of these high-tech ties, other neighbors are deepening their integration through specialized agreements. Kyrgyzstan is partnering with the China National Electric Engineering Corporation to construct a large-scale fertilizer plant, while Turkmenistan has formalized a comprehensive cooperation framework covering AI, energy, and digital education. Uzbekistan continues to engage with major Chinese entities on joint projects, further cementing a regional trend of prioritizing Beijing’s technological infrastructure over Western-aligned alternatives.
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