On September 26, 2025, Astana hosted the Second Kazakhstan–China Think Tank Forum on the theme “From Trust-Based Dialogue to Shared Development.” The event was organized by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KazISS) and the Institute of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS IRSECA).

The forum brought together leading experts from Kazakhstan and China representing government agencies, research institutes, and universities.

The first session focused on deepening political dialogue between Kazakhstan and China. Participants discussed the evolution of bilateral relations, mechanisms of foreign policy coordination, and practices of cross-border cooperation. Special attention was paid to the role of expert platforms, alignment of positions on regional security issues, and the expansion of the humanitarian dimension as a factor of stability in bilateral relations.

The session was moderated by Aidar Amrebayev, Director of the Center for Comparative Political Studies at the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science and Religious Studies. Ruslan Izimov, an expert at the Institute, delivered an analytical report suggesting that both sides concentrate on several key areas of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

The second session was devoted to trade and investment expansion. Participants identified priorities such as removing non-tariff barriers, harmonizing certification standards, supporting export activity, and developing joint educational programs for workforce training in industrial projects.

The discussion also addressed prospects for technological partnership. Experts outlined approaches to advancing R&D, implementing AI solutions in industry and public administration, and establishing joint standards for cybersecurity and AI ethics. The role of university consortia, data sharing for pilot regulatory “sandboxes,” and support for startup ecosystems were also highlighted.

Overall, participants emphasized that the Forum reaffirmed the relevance of the sustainable expert track “Kazakhstan–China.” Both sides agreed to continue working on practical proposals for standard synchronization, support for real-sector projects, and the expansion of academic cooperation.