Tianjin and Alma-ata are friendly associated onNovember, 22nd, in 2002.

Alma-ata the largest city in Kazakhstan, with a population of 1,420,747 (2009),which represents 9% of the population of the country. It was the capital of Kazakhstan (and its predecessor, the Kazakh SSR) from 1929 to 1998. Despite losing its status as the capital to Astana, Alma-ata remains the major commercial center of Kazakhstan.

Almaty is also developing as the regional financial and business centre - RFCA.Air Astana is headquartered in the Air Astana Centre 1 in Alma-ata. Prior to its dissolution, Air Kazakhstan was headquartered in Alma-ata.

According to the city's Department of Natural Resources and Resource Use Management, as of 2007 the city has 125 fountain groups or isolated fountains. Among them is the "Oriental Calendar" Fountain, whose 12 sculpture figures represent the 12 animals of the Kazakh 12-year animal cycle (similar to its Chinese counterpart).