Beyond EVs and perception, how China is gaining ground in Central Asia

In Kazakhstan’s futuristic capital Astana, car dealer Auyez Kabdygali is planning a big change to his business as he switches from importing European cars to Chinese electric vehicles.

Kabdygali says there is increasing demand for Chinese EVs both from locals and Russian customers due to their competitive price and quality. His grandfather is among the converts – he has an order in for a BYD Han, the carmaker’s flagship model, and plans to collect it from a terminal on the border with China and drive it hundreds of kilometres home.

The 33-year-old car dealer is among a growing number of Kazakhs who hold positive views of China. It is a sentiment driven not just by its EVs, but the economic pay-offs from China’s expanding footprint in Kazakhstan and its posture as a cooperative, non-interfering partner.

Strolling through Astana – a city of more than 1.3 million people – feels much like walking through the most developed major cities in northern China. Its modern architectural landmarks loom over Soviet-era blocks, while a newly opened Chinese-built light rail train runs along the city’s central axis.