Why investors should think bigger - and how Kazakhstan can benefit.
Many people fear China. Some are concerned about geopolitics, others about strict regulations, or the slowing economy. But a growing number of investors are experiencing a different kind of fear - FOMO, the fear of missing out. Because right now, China is shaping the technologies of the future - the foundation of the global economy to come. The only real question is: are you part of it - or just watching from the sidelines?
China today: between fear and opportunity
In recent years, China has been under the market microscope. Lockdowns, slowing GDP, the Evergrande crisis, pressure on private companies - all have fueled anxiety. And yes, the world’s second-largest economy is undergoing change. But the real issue isn’t whether there are challenges. It’s whether those challenges truly prevent China from continuing to reshape the world.
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Baillie Gifford - one of Europe’s largest investment firms - argues that over-focusing on China’s risks may mean missing out on historic opportunities. After all, it’s during periods of uncertainty that breakthroughs are born.
China isn’t just a country - it’s a global transformer
The numbers speak for themselves:
- Over the last decade, China has contributed more to global growth than all G7 countries combined.
- It’s home to over 6,000 public companies - with 3,000 new ones listed on A-share indices in the past 10 years.
- According to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, China leads in 37 of 44 critical future industries - from robotics to quantum computing.
- 60% of global 5G users live in China.
- China has more 5G base stations than the rest of the world combined.
- It manufactures 70% of the world’s solar panels and dominates battery tech and EV sales.
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These aren’t just stats - they’re a blueprint for where the next economy is being built.
Kazakhstan and China: a shared future
For Kazakhstan, China is not just a neighbor - it’s a strategic partner and technological benchmark. More and more Kazakh startups and corporations are adopting Chinese best practices in digitization, logistics, green energy and smart city design.
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According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade, in 2024 China became the country's largest trading partner, overtaking even Russia. More importantly:
- Kazakhstan is joining China’s investment efforts in green energy.
- It’s participating in smart city projects.
- It’s opening up markets for Chinese companies in AI, Big Data and 5G infrastructure.
One example: the nuclear power plant in Ulken, which Kazakhstan is building with Rosatom - while actively consulting with China. Or the development of cloud infrastructure in East Kazakhstan, already involving Chinese partners.
Kazakhstan stands to gain tremendously by plugging into China’s rising tech wave.
Yes, China has challenges - but it also has solutions
Yes, the economy is slowing. But after 30 years of 9%+ annual growth, that’s expected. The country is shifting from a "build at all costs" model to one focused on sustainable consumption, innovation and quality.
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The old growth model relied on massive investment. Now it’s the source of the problem. The solution lies in tech, private sector innovation, and forward-thinking policy.
In 2023, the Chinese government pivoted. It launched a wave of support for entrepreneurs. Li Qiang’s appointment as Premier marked a shift toward stability, predictability and innovation.
Where are the breakthrough investment opportunities?
Baillie Gifford sees China leading - or catching up rapidly - in several areas:
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Artificial Intelligence
By 2030, AI could account for 26% of China’s GDP (up from 0.4% in 2022). Chinese companies are deploying AI in education, healthcare, industry and finance. -
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
In 2023, 6.8 million EVs were sold in China - 7x more than in the US. By 2030, 90% of all new cars in China are expected to be electric. -
Robotics
China is the world’s largest producer of industrial robots, with automation spreading across all sectors. -
Renewable Energy
China already leads the world in renewable energy capacity - and is now investing in green hydrogen, solar tech and next-gen batteries.
FOMO is stronger than fear
Those who focus only on scary headlines miss the bigger picture. China isn’t just risk - it’s:
- Full of undervalued assets
- Weakly correlated with global markets
- Rich in alpha-generating potential
- Highly diversified (remember, it has 30+ provinces, each like a small economy)
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Yes, regulation is strict. Yes, the political system is different. But it’s precisely that system that allows China to mobilize, reform and stay on a long-term strategic course.
What about Kazakhstan?
What’s happening in China is more than just global news for Kazakhstan. It’s a direct opportunity for economic and technological cooperation:
- Localizing production of Chinese EVs
- Co-developing green infrastructure
- Launching Chinese tech parks and accelerators in Astana and Almaty
- Transferring digital health and education solutions
- Integrating into global supply chains - from lithium to semiconductors
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The more actively Kazakhstan seizes these opportunities, the more likely it is to become a Eurasian innovation hub in the next economy.
Looking ahead: Time to plug in
China has already proven that authoritarian systems can innovate. Its "common prosperity" vision doesn’t copy the West - it charts its own hybrid path. That’s its strength.
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As China’s neighbor and strategic partner, Kazakhstan can either step into this new world order - or risk being left behind. The key is to stop looking only at the risks, and start recognizing the extraordinary opportunities China is creating at breakneck speed.
7 Reasons to Watch and Invest in China:
- The world’s second-largest economy
- 6,000+ public companies
- 37 of 44 key future technologies are Chinese
- Largest EV, solar and 5G market
- Most undervalued market in the G20
- Kazakhstan-China partnership is growing fast
- China’s global influence is just getting started
Fear should not blind us to vision. While some hesitate - others build the future. China is already there. The question is: where will we be?
The courage to see beyond the horizon
The world is changing fast. Old models are collapsing, familiar playbooks don’t work. But it’s in moments like these that the strongest investment stories are born.
You can criticize China, misunderstand it, even fear it. But you can’t ignore it. And the sooner we stop seeing China through someone else’s fear, the sooner we can recognize what really matters - technological progress, ambition, strategic focus, and breathtaking speed of transformation.
Kazakhstan, as a neighbor and strategic ally, has a unique chance. A chance not just to observe - but to be among the few countries helping shape the future. Through investment, partnership, innovation and human capital.
The world we knew is gone. Tomorrow’s world will be different. The only question is: will we be the ones building it - or the ones who missed it out of fear?
The choice is ours.
