Foreign media on Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan, China digitalize customs procedures on Middle Corridor; Airbus delivers first A400M for Kazakhstan
From recent news about Kazakhstan and China digitalizing customs procedures along the Middle Corridor, Airbus delivering the first A400M to Kazakhstan’s Air Defense Forces, and millions of visitors traveling to Astana — the majority being domestic tourists — Kazinform News Agency presents a weekly review of Kazakhstan’s coverage in foreign media.
The Times of Central Asia: Kazakhstan and China digitalize customs procedures on Middle Corridor
According to the Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Kazakhstan’s national railway company, has announced the digitalization of customs declaration procedures for transit cargo along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, at the border between Kazakhstan and China.
In collaboration with Global DTC, KTZ Express – a subsidiary of KTZ – has launched the Tez Customs digital platform. This system transitions customs operations to a paperless format, reducing processing time to just 30 minutes after a train’s arrival at the border station.
The platform enables preliminary preparation of documents, automatic registration, and issuance of transit declarations. These capabilities optimize logistics processes, enhance transparency at all stages of customs clearance, and significantly reduce the time required for customs operations.
Since May 2024, Tez Customs has fully automated customs clearance processes for transit cargo along the China–Central Asia route via Kazakhstan, specifically along the Altynkol-Saryagash section. In October 2024, its scope was expanded to include cargo transported along the Middle Corridor.
To date, Tez Customs has processed over 54,000 transit declarations on the China to Central Asia route and more than 5,000 declarations on the TITR.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route serves as a critical link between China and Europe, passing through Kazakhstan and the Caucasus. More than 80% of all land cargo transported from China to Europe travels through Kazakhstan, according to Kazakh statistics.
During the first nine months of 2024, the volume of cargo transported along the Middle Corridor increased by 23% compared to the entirety of the previous year, reaching 3.4 million tons. Projections suggest that by 2030, this figure will rise to 10 million tons annually.
The digitalization of customs procedures via Tez Customs represents a significant advancement in the efficiency and transparency of transit operations on the TITR. This innovation reinforces Kazakhstan’s position as a vital transit hub for trade between China, Central Asia, and Europe, while also supporting the continued growth of cargo volumes along the Middle Corridor.
Airbus.com: Airbus delivers first A400M for Kazakhstan
Airbus Defence and Space has delivered the first Airbus A400M for the Republic of Kazakhstan to become the cornerstone of the country’s tactical and strategic airlift operations, Airbus.com reports.
The first of two Airbus A400Ms ordered by Kazakhstan was handed over to the customer at a ceremony in Almaty, south Kazakhstan, after a ferry flight from Airbus’ A400M Final Assembly Line in Seville, southern Spain, a few days earlier.
“Proven for over a decade in military and humanitarian operations worldwide, the A400M is a game changer for the Kazakh Air Defense Forces, delivering unrivalled tactical and strategic capabilities in a single platform,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space. “A second A400M, currently in production, will further strengthen these capabilities on its delivery in 2026.”
With the delivery of this aircraft, production number MSN139, Airbus will also provide a full range of maintenance and training support.
To date, more than 130 A400Ms have been delivered to nine countries and have accumulated 200,000 flight hours, participating in missions such as the evacuation of civilian and military personnel from Afghanistan, Sudan and Niger. Combining the capabilities of both tactical and strategic aircraft, the A400M can transport heavy and outsized cargo on to short, unprepared airstrips, flying at low altitudes or dropping up to 116 paratroopers or 25 tons of cargo.
Travel and Tour World: Kazakhstan’s Astana soars to new heights, shattering records with over 1 million visitors
A total of 1,097,413 visitors traveled to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, between January and September this year, with the majority being domestic tourists, according to the press service of the city’s administration (akimat), as reported by Travel and Tour World.
The number of tourists visiting Astana this year surged by 12% compared to the previous year, with a total of 1,097,415 visitors. Among them, 261,964, or 23.9%, were international travelers.
Summer proved to be the peak season for tourism in Kazakhstan’s capital, with 757,068 visitors in June, 807,219 in July, and a record-breaking 829,627 in August.
Astana continues to serve as a major hub for international events. In 2024, the city hosted a variety of global exhibitions and gatherings, such as Automechanika Astana, the Eurasian Book Fair, the Astana Half Marathon, the Comic Con Astana Festival featuring actor Mads Mikkelsen, the V World Nomad Games, a concert by Dimash, and the World Grappling Championships.
Additionally, 2024 was designated the Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China, marked by six significant events, including the opening and closing ceremonies of the initiative. Key gatherings included the Kazakhstan-China Business Dialogue with participation from leading companies like MaFengWo, C-trip, and major Chinese tourist associations and tour operators.
Significantly, the Visit Astana brand has officially become a member of the World Tourism Alliance (WTA), a global network that brings together more than 240 tourism companies from across the globe.
Yahoo Sports: Chelsea's youngsters overcome Astana in Kazakhstan
A Marc Guiu brace helped Chelsea to a 3-1 win over Astana in the Conference League on Thursday, Yahoo Sports reports.
Scorers: Guiu 14', 18', Veiga 39'; Tomasov 45'
Enzo Maresca’s rotated side got themselves off the mark thanks to a stunning effort from Marc Guiu. The 18-year-old picked up the ball on the right-wing and just kept running towards goal, beating his man to smash his shot home at the near post.
Just four minutes later, Guiu had his second as once again the attack came down the right-hand side – this time through Pedro Neto – and the teenager was there to bundle the ball over the line.
The third came as a result of a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall corner, with Renato Veiga powerfully heading home.
There was to be no clean sheet for Chelsea though, as Marin Tomasov pulled one back for Astana by driving through the defence and firing in a wicked shot from just inside the penalty area.
That win means that the Blues stay on top of the Conference League table with five wins from five in the competition.
Variety: ‘Bauryna Salu’ review: Kazakhstan’s Oscar entry captures a child’s abandonment
“Bauryna Salu” is a powerful film by writer-director Askhat Kuchinchirekov, blending quiet realism with deep emotional resonance, Variety reports.
The story follows 12-year-old Yersultan (Yersultan Yerman) as he navigates life in a remote Kazakh village, raised by his grandmother under the shadow of a traditional nomadic custom. This custom, called “Bauryna Salu” or “nebere aluu,” involves the first-born being given to relatives to raise, creating emotional rifts in families.
Yersultan’s daily life is vividly captured — harvesting salt, helping at home, or roughhousing with his best friend. His quiet dissatisfaction builds until his parents abruptly take him back to their home, where tensions with his distant father escalate.
The film avoids heavy dialogue, using body language and environmental sounds to convey the strain between characters. Yerman’s performance as Yersultan is hauntingly authentic, revealing the toll of suppressed emotions and unspoken conflicts.
Rather than condemning the tradition, Kuchinchirekov examines its emotional impact with subtlety, creating a deeply moving portrait of family bonds, resilience, and unspoken pain. “Bauryna Salu” is a cinematic gem that leaves a lasting impression.
