On May 16, 2026 local time, at Astana Light Rail (LRT) airport station, Kazakhstan President Tokayev received a special commemorative card from the staff - the light rail transit card numbered 001. After receiving the card symbolizing the "first passenger", Tokayev boarded a silver white train and personally experienced the journey from the airport station to the National Museum station.

This trip is not just a test ride, but marks the official operation of the first fully autonomous light rail in Central Asia. In the carriage, Tokayev looked out the window and told his companions that the opening of this route is a milestone for Astana and even the entire Kazakhstan, and is the first step for the capital to move towards an important transportation hub on the Eurasian continent.

During the subsequent inspection of the newly built unified dispatch center, Tokayev specifically turned to Han Chunlin, the Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan, and representatives of Chinese enterprises present, expressing his gratitude clearly in Chinese: "Today is a very important event, and I believe it is just the beginning. In the future, we will continue this very important work. I express my gratitude to the Chinese side

Behind this Chinese expression of gratitude is a modern transportation artery created by Chinese technology. Astana Light Rail Phase I is 22.4 kilometers long, with 18 stations and 19 trains (including 4 spare trains). The most remarkable feature is that its fully automated operation system - train control, acceleration, braking, door opening and closing, and even emergency response - has achieved unmanned driving automation. To ensure foolproof operation, the system still retains the manual control interface and real-time communication function with the dispatch center. At present, a total of 21 professional dispatchers are monitoring the real-time operation of the city's light rail in the center.

At the end of the ceremony, Tokayev once again demonstrated his profound Chinese proficiency. Facing the engineering personnel from both China and Kazakhstan who participated in the construction, he quoted the ancient Chinese wisdom: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

This proverb is not only a summary of the successful launch of the project, but also a prospect for the future.

Astana Light Rail is an important landmark project under the framework of the joint construction of the the Belt and Road between Kazakhstan and China, which is participated by China Railway Asia Europe Construction Investment Co., Ltd. and other enterprises under China Railway. According to Astana Mayor Jens Hasmubek, the second phase of the light rail project is already under planning, with plans to build a new line leading to Astana 1 railway station, Zahara residential area, and the direction of Kuosh city, with a total length of about 26.5 kilometers and 20 stations.keywords:Engineering infrastructure

This steel silk road, forged by Chinese standards and technology, is slowly unfolding in the hinterland of Eurasia with the launch of light rail.Editor/Yang Meiling