Kazakhstan and China Build a Digital Bridge for the Data Economy

Kazakhstan and China are strengthening cooperation in the data economy, creating new opportunities for digital trade, artificial intelligence (AI) and cross-border investment, MadeniPortal.kz reports.

The partnership gained momentum at the Global Data Ecosystem Conference 2026 (GDEC 2026), held in Shanghai on October 30–31, where Kazakhstan participated as the Special Invited International Partner. At the opening session, Kazakhstan’s Bureau of National Statistics presented the country’s approach to developing a data market.

On October 31, Astana Data Exchange (ADX) and Shanghai Data Exchange (SDE) began work on their first joint listing of data products, allowing providers to offer products on both platforms.

Lu Yong, Executive Director of the Shanghai Data Service Provider Association and Chief Expert at SDE, and Sarsen Zhanabekov, CEO of ADX, share the view that reliable data is becoming a strategic resource for businesses developing AI solutions, digital services and international operations.

The cooperation is part of the Kazakhstan-China Digital Bridge Initiative, which aims to connect the two countries’ digital economies and expand opportunities for secure cross-border data exchange.

From Digital Government to a Data Economy

Kazakhstan has built a strong digital foundation. More than 90% of public services are available online, and the country ranked 24th among 193 countries in the 2024 UN E-Government Development Index. In 2025, cashless transactions accounted for 98.3% of personal payments and transfers.

The country is now moving toward a data-driven economy. Its Digital Qazaqstan strategy sets priorities through 2029, including wider AI adoption and data-driven government decision-making.

The Digital Code, effective since July 2026, establishes a framework for exchanging data products through registered platforms while protecting personal information. Kazakhstan has also introduced a methodology for valuing data products held by public agencies and state-owned enterprises.

China recognized data as a factor of production in 2019 and has since developed data exchanges, registration mechanisms and regulatory frameworks. Its National Data Administration supports the development of industry datasets for AI applications.

Connecting these two markets could enable businesses and researchers to access trusted data resources and develop AI solutions for broader markets.

A Digital Bridge in Practice

The ADX-SDE partnership demonstrates how cross-border data cooperation can work.

A strategic agreement signed in 2025 laid the groundwork for the joint listing initiative. ADX enables organizations to list, discover and exchange data products, while SDE connects international providers with Chinese buyers and supports Chinese companies entering overseas markets.

Eleven international providers, including KoDATA, are preparing to list products on ADX in areas such as business intelligence, finance, logistics, research and AI.

The partnership could also help Kazakhstani companies offer data products in China. For example, aggregated market data could help Chinese exporters identify demand for their products in Kazakhstan without disclosing individual customer information.

Future cooperation may include common approaches to data valuation, registration of data rights and secure analysis through confidential computing technologies.

What This Means for Trade and Investment

The digital bridge could also strengthen economic ties between Kazakhstan and China.

Bilateral trade reached $48.7 billion in 2025, according to Chinese customs data. Secure access to verified information could help both countries advance toward their $100 billion trade target by improving customs procedures, supplier verification and business transparency.

Importers could verify product certificates and shipment origins, while exporters could assess potential partners using reliable business records. Retailers and investors could use aggregated data to identify promising markets and locations.

Beyond bilateral trade, the partnership could serve as a model for connecting national data exchanges internationally.

A global network of trusted data platforms would allow businesses to access valuable information while providers retain control over how their data is used.

By linking their data markets, Kazakhstan and China are taking a step toward an economy in which trusted data becomes a driver of innovation, trade and international cooperation.

Source: Yahoo Finance - Kazakhstan and China Build a Digital Bridge for the Data Economy⁠