Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov arrived in Shanghai on Sunday for the upcoming 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang.
Over the past few years, Kazakhstan has been a regular participant at the world's biggest import trade expo. More than 30 Kazakh enterprises took part last year, showcasing their products and services. Between 2019 and 2023, companies from Kazakhstan signed export deals worth more than 260 million U.S. dollars in Shanghai.
China and Kazakhstan have celebrated more than three decades of formal diplomatic relations, and the bilateral relations have been further solidified by the Belt and Road Initiative.
President Xi also paid a state visit to Kazakhstan in July of this year. Both leaders agreed to open a new chapter in the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership and to promote “the next golden 30 years”.
The 7th CIIE will be held in Shanghai from Nov 5 to 10, and attended by 77 countries and international organizations in national pavilions, along with nearly 3,500 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions in the business exhibition. The event will showcase the latest products and technologies, and provide opportunities for businesses to connect and forge partnerships with one another.
According to a statement made by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning on Sunday, at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene and Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic will attend the opening ceremony of the CIIE and relevant events.
Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov arrives in Shanghai for CIIE
Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov arrives in Shanghai for CIIE
Chinese envoy on Wednesday expressed support for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC) to continue fulfilling its mandate, advancing the Colombian-led and Colombian-owned peace process, and providing vital assistance to Colombia in achieving peace and development.
Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the statement when speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on the Colombian situation at the UN headquarter.
UN secretary-general's special representative for Colombia and head of the UNVMC Carlos Ruiz Massieu said that Colombia had achieved some milestones as it celebrated the eighth anniversary of a landmark peace deal. However, violent incidents earlier this year resulted in dozens of deaths. He emphasized the need for Colombia to strengthen the government's presence in remote areas, as the peace agreement remains central to achieving lasting peace in the country. He called on the international community to continue its unwavering support for this process.
Geng expressed hope that in the new year, all parties in Colombia will remain steadfast, united, and committed to writing new chapters of peace, reconciliation, and progress. Geng put forward three key expectations: achieving new progress in improving the security situation, advancing dialogue and reconciliation, and making new achievements in implementing the peace agreement.
"We support the Colombian government's efforts to increase security deployment to effectively deter violent activities, stabilize the situation as quickly as possible, ensure the safety of people's lives, alleviate the local humanitarian crisis, and strengthen protection for former armed personnel, ethnic groups and vulnerable groups such as women and children," said Geng.
Geng noted that the current peace talks between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) have encountered setbacks. China hopes that both sides will resolve their differences through dialogue and resume negotiations at an early date, and expects that the Colombian government's peace talks with other armed groups will remain unaffected, he said.
China commends the Colombian government, under the leadership of President Gustavo Petro, for prioritizing the implementation of the peace agreement in its governance agenda and for its efforts in areas such as rural reform and the reintegration of former armed personnel into society, Geng said.
China also calls on UN agencies, as well as international and regional partners, to continue supporting Colombia in consolidating the achievements of the peace process, he said.
Recently, armed clashes have continued between Colombia's main anti-government armed group, the ELN, and former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in the Catatumbo region, northern Colombia.
According to data from the Colombian Ombudsman's Office, the conflict has displaced 36,000 people. Petro on Monday declared a state of internal commotion.
FARC, once Colombia's largest anti-government armed group, signed a peace agreement with the government in 2016, disarmed the following year, and transitioned into a political party.
However, some FARC members refused to disarm and formed splinter groups. The ELN primarily engages in drug trafficking and other criminal activities along Colombia's Pacific coast and border regions. On Friday, the Colombian government announced the suspension of peace talks with the ELN once again.
China reaffirms support for Colombia's peace process
