On March 6, 2026 local time, at the 2026 Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona, Spain, Deputy Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, Zanibak Tezanov, and representatives of Chinese technology giant Huawei solemnly signed a strategic cooperation memorandum aimed at reshaping the Central Asian transportation grid. This agreement not only marks a crucial step for Kazakhstan towards the digital future of transportation, but also signifies that cooperation between China and Kazakhstan in the field of digital infrastructure is extending from "communication" to the broader industrial hinterland of "transportation".

Smart transportation becomes a key driver of growth

As a crossroads connecting the Eurasian continent, Central Asia has long faced the challenge of low penetration rate of transportation digitization. The traditional logistics model and road network management efficiency are insufficient, which seriously restricts the growth of cross-border trade and regional economy. Kazakhstan, as an important hub in Central Asia, has been accelerating the modernization of telecommunications and the reserve of 5G/6G technology in recent years. With its unique advantage as an important channel for the China Europe freight train, the country urgently needs to introduce advanced technology to fill the gaps in intelligent scheduling, logistics digitization, and infrastructure sustainability. In this context, the construction of smart transportation has undoubtedly become a key breakthrough in promoting national economic growth.

AI and big data drive industrial upgrading

According to the cooperation agreement, both parties will focus on the construction of AI core networks, development of predictive operation and maintenance systems, establishment of digital transportation platforms, improvement of intelligent logistics systems, and independent system research and development. Special emphasis is placed on the practical application of unified intelligent systems and cloud technology, which will comprehensively cover various transportation fields such as railways, highways, sea transportation, and freight transportation. In addition, both parties will actively share practical experience in transportation infrastructure construction and management, collaborative optimization of traffic flow, and efficiency improvement of logistics hubs. Through the deep integration of AI and big data technology, it will effectively drive the upgrading and transformation of the transportation industry.

China Kazakhstan digital cooperation continues to deepen

Huawei has tailored a full stack digital solution for Kazakhstan based on its profound technological accumulation in areas such as 5G, AI, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things. Kazakhstan, on the other hand, takes digitalization of transportation as an important entry point, synchronously promoting the intelligent construction of logistics corridors and improving the operational efficiency of logistics hubs, further consolidating its important position on the Asia Europe Land Bridge. This cooperation cleverly combines the practical application of technology with industrial upgrading, effectively promoting the continuous extension and expansion of China Kazakhstan digital economic and trade cooperation from the traditional communication field to the comprehensive transportation and logistics field.Editor/Yang Meiling