Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to visit Kazakhstan and Tajikistan to enhance diplomatic relations and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin announced at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.
At the invitation of Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, and Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will attend the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and pay official visits to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan from May 18 to 21.
"Kazakhstan and Tajikistan are China's friendly neighbors and important partners in the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative. Under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping, (Kazakh) President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and (Tajik) President Emomali Rahmon, China's bilateral relations with the two countries have maintained high-level development, and the bilateral efforts are under way to build a community with a shared future," Wang noted.
"During the visit, Wang will meet with leaders of the two countries, hold talks with their foreign ministers, and exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of common interest concerning international and regional matters," said the spokesman.
"China believes that this visit will fully implement the consensus reached by President Xi Jinping with the heads of state of the two countries, deepen cooperation in various fields, promote cooperation on the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, and make new contributions to maintaining peace, stability, and development in the region," Wang said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to visit Kazakhstan, Tajikistan
Preparations are nearly complete for the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE), set for November 5-10 in Shanghai, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.
Ministry spokesperson He Yadong said at a press conference that exhibits from over 2,700 participating companies have entered the exhibition halls, while those from more than 700 companies are still in transit and will arrive by Nov. 2.
To improve the experience for attendees, this year's CIIE has established 172 functional areas in 26 categories and added 1,523 temporary signs throughout the venue. The expo has also streamlined its registration and approval processes with a digital system.
"We are enhancing payment convenience by ensuring adequate small-denomination cash reserves, while expanding bank card transaction acceptance to include both domestic and international cards for the first time. Additionally, the expo will feature a 5,000-square-meter catering zone and offer food delivery services to all booths," said He.
The expo will also share comprehensive travel and service information via its official WeChat account, and upgrades have been made to the event's Hongqiao forum information system and the venue's navigation systems to enhance the attendee experience.
The seventh CIIE has attracted participants from 152 countries, regions and international organizations, and achieved a new record with 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders set to attend.
Since its first edition in 2018, the expo has become an important showcase, spotlighting China's new development paradigm, a platform for high-standard opening up, and an opportunity for the whole world.
Preparation work for CIIE nears completion: ministry