An opening ceremony for the China-Kazakhstan Joint Laboratory for Remote Sensing Technology and Application was held in Almaty on March 27, 2024, marking the official start of the operation of the laboratory.

Jointly built by the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU), the laboratory aims to be a multidisciplinary international platform focusing on ecological environment monitoring between China and Kazakhstan or even between China and Central Asia, and to give full play to the technological strengths of China and Kazakhstan in satellite remote sensing.

XIEG and KazNU signed an agreement to establish the laboratory at the Consulate General of Kazakhstan in Xi’an, China, on May 19, 2023. Since then, the laboratory has received great attention from both Kazakhstan and China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

In order to achieve the outcomes of the China-Central Asia Summit, XIEG and KazNU have jointly established the laboratory under the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. To date, the two parties have invested a total amount of USD 400,000 in equipment and infrastructure for the laboratory.

"The opening ceremony signifies the pragmatic cooperation between China and Kazakhstan," said ZHANG Yuanming, director of XIEG, at the opening ceremony. XIEG and KazNU will collaborate in scientific research, technological development, and personnel training at the laboratory, better benefiting the people in both countries, said ZHANG.

The joint laboratory is expected to provide scientific and technological support for promoting the construction of the Green Silk Road and regional sustainable development.

XIEG and KazNU signed an agreement to establish the China-Kazakhstan Joint Laboratory for Remote Sensing Technology and Application at the Consulate General of Kazakhstan in Xi’an, China, on May 19, 2023. (Image by XIEG)