In the context of a rapidly changing global landscape, China continues to actively implement its foreign policy strategies aimed at strengthening its international influence. In 2024, Beijing is focusing on expanding bilateral and multilateral ties, promoting the “Belt and Road” initiative, and participating in key international organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS. Special attention is given to Central Asia and Kazakhstan, which play a significant role in achieving China’s economic and strategic goals. However, these ambitious plans come with a series of challenges, including geopolitical tensions, economic competition, and the need to balance relationships with other global players.
In 2024, Beijing pursued a policy of “great diplomacy,” aimed at strengthening its international status as a leading power and more actively shaping the global governance architecture. China sought to deepen and expand ties with key global players while continuing comprehensive strategic coordination with Russia, despite Western sanctions pressure. This demonstrated the two countries’ intent to jointly resist external pressures and seek mutually beneficial economic and energy projects.
In 2024, Sino-Russian cooperation reached new heights, with trade turnover amounting to $180.36 billion from January to September, an increase of 2%. This confirmed China’s position as Russia’s largest trading partner for the 14th consecutive year. Russia became a major destination for Chinese car exports and the largest supplier of oil, gas, and electricity to China. The strategic partnership was further bolstered by the 29th meeting of heads of government and the updated Investment Cooperation Plan. New areas of cooperation include the digital economy, biomedicine, green technologies, artificial intelligence, 5G, shipbuilding, aviation, space, and modular construction, with plans to implement over 100 joint projects. The 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations marked a more mature and stable partnership, with strengthened interaction in the SCO and BRICS frameworks.
At the same time, Beijing continued efforts to stabilize relations with the European Union, striving for dialogue and mutual pragmatism to minimize risks of further technological and trade restrictions. Notable was Xi Jinping’s visit to European countries, including France, Hungary, and Serbia. China aims to position Europe as an independent and influential partner, distinct from the U.S., which is particularly evident in its relations with France, a country viewed as an alternative to the U.S. in addressing global issues. Hungary serves as an important intermediary between East and West, attracting Chinese investments in infrastructure and technology, while Serbia is seen as a key partner in the Balkans for advancing the Belt and Road Initiative.
These efforts aim to shape a multipolar global environment and enhance China’s influence in Central and Eastern Europe, while also supporting the EU’s strategic autonomy. Despite positive developments, compromises remain difficult. This was evident in the European Commission’s decision to impose tariffs on imports of Chinese electric vehicles, initially temporary but later confirmed by two-thirds of the European Council. In response, China introduced countermeasures, including tariffs on European brandy and considering raising tariffs on European car imports and other sectors.
Key trade tensions have already had notable impacts:
Strengthening its position in Asia remained a strategic priority for China. The second “China-Central Asia” summit demonstrated Beijing’s commitment to institutionalizing interaction formats and consolidating its role in the region. Simultaneously, China advanced mechanisms under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), actively promoted high-quality infrastructure cooperation, and expanded free trade zones within the Asia-Pacific region.
Asia policy is also closely tied to China’s strategy in the SCO. As chair of the SCO for 2024–2025, Beijing pushed for reforms aimed at strengthening the organization and enhancing its role in sustainable development, security, and economic cooperation. China aimed to establish new norms of global governance that reflect its own economic, technological, and humanitarian priorities. Plans include holding over 100 events, drafting a new SCO development strategy and summit declaration, and fostering the “Shanghai Spirit” of cooperation among member states.
The strategy includes countering external interference, creating alternative international organizations with an anti-Western character, and bolstering positions in opposition to U.S. influence. Sustainability, poverty reduction, food security, healthcare, digital economy development, and industrialization are key areas of focus under China’s SCO leadership.
Ensuring economic security and technological sovereignty has been a core direction. China invested in “new productive forces,” high-tech industries, and science while strengthening internal innovation capacity and partnerships with developing countries through BRICS and South-South cooperation. In global security, Beijing positioned itself as a mediator and stabilizer in conflicts, including readiness to participate in the peaceful resolution of regional crises such as Ukraine and to play an active role in Middle East peace initiatives.
BRICS fulfills several strategic functions for China’s global ambitions. Economically, China uses BRICS to expand influence as the bloc’s largest economy and the main trading partner for Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa. Trade among BRICS countries grew by 5.1% in the first nine months of 2024, confirming stronger economic ties.
Through BRICS, China promotes reforms in global financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank and supports yuan internationalization via bilateral currency agreements. It also participates in alternative financial institutions like the New Development Bank.
Strategic partnerships within BRICS offer China a platform for multilateral diplomacy across Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America, expanding BRI initiatives in the BRICS+ format. Through energy alliances, China gains control over up to 42% of global oil supplies.
Central Asia occupies a central place in Beijing’s regional priorities, combining expanded economic cooperation, institutional innovation, and political-diplomatic support. In 2024, trade volume between China and the five Central Asian nations exceeded $90 billion, reinforcing the region as a key transit hub between China and Europe. Amid global supply chain restructuring and trade route challenges, Beijing strengthened logistical corridors through the region, particularly the “Middle Corridor” via Kazakhstan, reducing risks from geopolitical tensions along western routes.
Kazakhstan remained China’s primary partner in Central Asia, maintaining its status as a critical transit hub and the largest trade and economic partner in the region. Xi Jinping’s visit to Kazakhstan gave new impetus to the “permanent comprehensive strategic partnership.” Trade turnover reached $33 billion in the first nine months of 2024, with China emerging as the second-largest supplier of goods to Kazakhstan, holding a 24.9% share.
Economic activity was complemented by cultural and educational exchanges. Initiatives include Chinese cultural centers, scholarships, and the 2025 China-Kazakhstan Tourism Year.
China’s foreign policy priorities in 2024 demonstrate its intent to strengthen global influence through economic cooperation, institutional reforms, and strategic partnerships. Special focus on Central Asia and Kazakhstan highlights the region’s importance for China’s economic and strategic goals. However, challenges such as geopolitical tensions, economic competition, and balancing interests complicate sustainable bilateral and regional ties.
By 2025, further institutionalization of cooperation, new infrastructure and technology projects, and expanded humanitarian exchanges can be expected.
China Studies Centre, Astana.
