CHINA’S EXPERIENCE IN CROSS-BORDER FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION AND ITS IMPACT ON KAZAKHSTAN’S BORDER COOPERATION WITH KYRGYZSTAN AND UZBEKISTAN: LESSONS FROM COVID-19

Abstract

This article examines the impact of China’s experience in cross-border freight transportation on Kazakhstan’s border cooperation with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The introduction of strict sanitary measures at Chinese border checkpoints in 2020 caused significant delays in the delivery of Kazakhstani goods, including perishable products, highlighting the vulnerability of politically driven logistics routes. The study analyzes the cascading effects of these barriers on regional stakeholders, such as Kazakhstani freight forwarders, farmers, and producers. By exploring the adaptation strategies of market participants, the article underscores the need to enhance the resilience of regional cooperation in Central Asia. China's experience and the challenges that emerged during the pandemic can serve as a foundation for developing more effective mechanisms for cross-border trade regulation and coordination.