On September 2, 2025, the National Culture Center of Kazakhstan was opened in Beijing with the participation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China Sun Yeli, diplomats of both countries, as well as representatives of the creative intelligentsia. This event goes far beyond cultural life and becomes an important element of strategic cooperation between the two countries. The opening of the Center is the result of long-term diplomatic work and agreements reached at the highest level. In 2022, during the state visit of the Chairman of the People's Republic of China to Astana, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Xi Jinping came to an agreement on the establishment of cultural centers in China and Kazakhstan on a parity basis. The new center is intended to become a bridge between peoples, a platform for dialogue between youth, science and art, as well as vivid proof that culture today occupies a special place on the agenda of Kazakh-Chinese relations. "Art and culture are a golden bridge that unites nations," the head of state noted in his speech at the ceremony.
The opening of the Center in one of the world's key megacities demonstrates that Kazakhstan is increasingly using the tools of cultural diplomacy. If previously the emphasis was on economic and political interaction, now the vector is complemented by a humanitarian dimension. At the ceremony, President Tokayev recalled that Kazakhstan and China have entered the "second golden 30 years" of relations. In 2023, trade turnover reached a record $44 billion, and the trend continues to strengthen. China maintains its position as Kazakhstan's largest trade and investment partner, and the two countries' views on key international issues largely coincide. Thus, the opening of the Center is becoming not just a cultural gesture, but a symbol of the stability and depth of bilateral partnership.
According to Tatyana Kaukenova, a well-known sinologist in Kazakhstan, "this is one of the most significant events of recent years in the field of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Kazakhstan and China." The center, according to her, will become a platform not only for demonstrating traditional culture, but also for breaking stereotypes, increasing the level of trust and recognition of Kazakhstan in China. And this directly affects both economic and political ties.
The new cultural hub is located in the prestigious Beijing district of Chaoyang, in the modern complex "XXI century". The total area is 620 square meters. The space is divided into several zones. The center is equipped with interactive equipment that will provide the deepest immersion in the culture of Kazakhstan.
An important part of the Center is the exhibition area, which presents historical artifacts and archaeological finds - replicas of items from the Saka period, exhibits found during excavations of the Kazakh burial mounds Esik and Berel, elements of everyday life of the Kazakh people. Visitors will also be able to see traditional musical instruments, national jewelry and household items. In addition, the exhibition presents paintings by Kazakh artists, rare books dedicated to the history and culture of the country. On multimedia screens, visitors will be able to watch documentaries and videos that will allow them to learn about Kazakhstan's natural and cultural attractions in an interactive way.
The Center will have a Kazakh language room, where lessons and trainings for children and adults are planned.
The music and creativity room will be another important element of the center, where Chinese guests will be able not only to learn about traditional Kazakh music, but also to take part in master classes on playing the dombra and kobyz. Various concerts by musicians and artists from Kazakhstan will also be held here.
The library and reading room will present the reader with works by Kazakh authors in various genres and in various languages, including Chinese. One of the central exhibits is a book by the outstanding Kazakh poet and philosopher Abai. The library will also become a venue for lectures, presentations and literary evenings, generating interest among the Chinese audience in Kazakhstan's literature and culture. Along with this, the Sandyk restaurant will operate here, where tastings and master classes on cooking Kazakh national cuisine will be organized.
In addition, the Center will become a venue for festivals dedicated to Kazakh cinema, theater, music and art.
The cultural center will also actively use multifunctional spaces for conferences, round tables and symposiums.
Tatyana Kaukenova notes that the Center can become a link for universities, research institutes and creative schools. "This is an opportunity for joint research, academic exchanges, summer schools. In practical terms, Kazakh language courses, master classes in crafts, music and dance will be in demand. Traditional culture will also be of great interest: the life of nomads, music, aitys, equestrian competitions. But it is equally important to present modern Kazakhstan - films, multimedia projects, exhibitions. This will help to break down stereotypes and show the country as a dynamically developing state with ambitions and a unique cultural code. A separate vector is tourism. The Chinese audience is actively interested in cultural and ecotourism. Given the visa-free regime, the growth in the flow of tourists to Kazakhstan is already noticeable, and the Center will be able to further reveal this potential,” she believes.
The Center’s plans for the next six months include holding international youth exchanges in cooperation with the China Center, joint events for young entrepreneurs, scientists, and creative intellectuals from both countries. A memorandum of cooperation with the Beijing Language and Culture University will be signed in the near future.
In the context of China’s growing interest in Central Asia, the Center for National Culture of Kazakhstan is becoming the most important tool of Kazakhstan’s “soft power”. It will help to form a positive image of the country, strengthen its presence in the cultural and educational environment of China, and create new points of attraction for young people, researchers, and tourists. Thus, Kazakhstan is moving to a new level – from an “exporter of resources” to an exporter of culture and ideas, which strengthens its subjectivity in international relations. The cultural center in Beijing is a symbol of Kazakhstan’s strategic choice: to build bridges of trust through culture and strengthen its place in the global dialogue between East and West.