Today, a strategic meeting was held at Abai University with representatives of Qingdao University from the People’s Republic of China. As part of the event, a large-scale seminar dedicated to the development of cross-border economic and trade data was organized, opening a new stage of digital integration between the two countries. During the event, the International Practical Center for Cross-Border Distance Education and the Legal Service Center of the SCO Demonstration Zone were officially inaugurated.

The meeting brought together representatives of the Internet Information Administration of Shandong Province and Qingdao City, the administration of the China–SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area, and the leadership of Abai University. Particular attention was paid to the introduction of modern models for analyzing cross-border trade and the creation of a unified database. Today, without a systematic geoinformation foundation, it is impossible to regulate modern logistics, optimize public transport routes, and develop international e-commerce. Therefore, the comprehensive advancement of these digital directions was identified as a priority task during the meeting.

In addition, the quality of AI-based navigation services directly depends on the geoinformation foundation. This issue is highly relevant for Kazakhstan, as the country’s open geodata resources are still incomplete. At the same time, a unified institutional system for monitoring their quality has not yet been established. For this reason, Abai University announced its intention to create an international-level digital hub.

The Cross-Border Distance Education Center and the Legal Service Station inaugurated during the seminar are expected to strengthen the security of business relations between the two countries. These structures will provide legal consultations for cross-border business representatives and ensure that trade operations are conducted within the legal framework.

Zhao Shulin, Deputy Director of the Internet Information Administration of the Party Committee of Shandong Province, noted that this initiative would boost digital educational exchange between the two countries. In addition, the Legal Service Station of the Shanghai Cooperation Demonstration Area and the office of the “Shanyi Zhonglun” law firm were officially launched. These institutions will provide legislative support to entrepreneurs and ensure the security of trade operations.

Bolat Tilep, Chairman of the Board and Rector of Abai KazNPU, emphasized that these projects would provide young specialists with significant opportunities to gain experience in accordance with international standards and master data analytics.

Global practice shows that high-quality geodata infrastructure is usually developed on the basis of major academic centers and laboratories. For example, Heidelberg University in Germany and transportation laboratories in Canada are operating at a global level in this field. Among Central Asian countries, only one university in Kyrgyzstan is currently registered in the international YouthMappers network. Abai University now aims to join this system and become the first innovative platform representing Kazakhstan.

Wang Xiaofeng, Deputy Director of the Internet Information Administration of Qingdao City, along with other distinguished guests, emphasized that bilateral relations are characterized not only by economic cooperation, but also by a strong intellectual dimension. The newly established centers will provide young specialists with opportunities to gain international experience and develop expertise in information processing and trade analytics.

This partnership between Kazakhstan and China is aimed at the digitalization of logistics corridors, training specialists in GIS and artificial intelligence, and creating a shared database that meets international standards. The foundation of the Digital Silk Road begins precisely with such network-based local platforms.

“Abai University” Media Center