ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday said that China is ready to work with Kazakhstan to resolutely strengthen the friendship between the two countries and contribute more to regional, world peace and development with stability and positive energy of bilateral ties.
Xi, who is in the Central Asian country to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit, made the remarks during his meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana.
Xi said that China-Kazakhstan relations have withstood the test of international vicissitudes and have always maintained high-level development. He added that this is attributed to the geographical closeness and long-standing friendship between the two peoples, as well as the two countries’ shared choice to pursue development together.
In recent years, through the joint efforts by both sides, the China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future has become more substantial and enriched in content, the Chinese president said, adding that tangible and people-centered outcomes have continued to emerge, greatly enhancing the sense of gain for both peoples.
Noting both China and Kazakhstan are at crucial stages of their respective national development and rejuvenation, Xi said both countries should work hand in hand to advance all-round cooperation.
China and Kazakhstan should continue to support each other on issues involving core interests and major concerns, promote synergy of development strategies, Xi said, while calling on both countries to promote connectivity, high-tech cooperation and green development.
Xi also called on China and Kazakhstan to expand exchanges in law enforcement and defense, and jointly combat terrorism, separatism and extremism.
Noting diverse people-to-people exchanges help consolidate the foundation of China-Kazakhstan friendship, Xi called on both countries to successfully host Kazakhstan’s “China Tourism Year” and encourage greater exchanges among youth, media, think tanks, and localities.
Speaking of the turbulent and intertwined international landscape, the Chinese president said China and Kazakhstan should firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law, practice true multilateralism and safeguard common interests of developing countries.
Xi also commended Kazakhstan for its extensive preparations for the second China-Central Asia Summit, expressing confidence that the meeting would open a new chapter in China-Central Asia cooperation.
Additionally, as the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), China stands ready to work with all member states to seize the opportunity of this year’s Tianjin Summit to strengthen and enhance the SCO, achieving new development, breakthroughs and vitality, the Chinese president added.
Tokayev said China is a friendly neighbor, close friend and reliable partner of Kazakhstan.
The permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has entered a new golden era, promoting the sustainable economic and social development of both nations and benefiting both peoples, setting an example for state-to-state relations, Tokayev added.
Kazakhstan and China share a strong political will to deepen cooperation and have always firmly supported each other on matters concerning sovereignty, security, and core interests, unaffected by international changes, he noted.
Expressing confidence that China would continue to make even greater development achievements, Tokayev said Kazakhstan is willing to work with China to deepen mutual strategic trust and comprehensive, mutually beneficial cooperation, elevating bilateral relations to a new level.
Tokayev also spoke highly of and fully supported China’s commitment to upholding international fairness and justice, expressing Kazakhstan’s readiness to maintain close cooperation and mutual support with China within the multilateral frameworks including the UN, SCO, BRICS, the China-Central Asia mechanism and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, thus jointly promoting the development of a more just and equitable international order.
Following their talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the exchange of over a dozen bilateral cooperation documents covering areas such as trade, investment, science and technology, customs, tourism, and media.
