Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to Kazakhstan will enhance the pragmatic cooperation between China and Central Asian countries, according to government and media officials.
At the invitation of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President Xi will attend the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana from June 16 to 18.
The summit is expected to take China and the five central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on a new journey toward building a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.
"The leaders of Kazakhstan and China have a very friendly personal relationship. We look forward to President Xi's visit. This visit will be of great significance to Kazakhstan as China is an important strategic partner and neighbor of Kazakhstan," said Kanat Sahariyanov, general director of Atameken Business Channel of Kazakhstan.
During the summit in Astana, President Xi and other leaders of the participating Central Asian countries will exchange views on the achievements of the China-Central Asia mechanism, mutually beneficial cooperation within the framework and international and regional hotspot issues, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.
Arman Shakkaliyev, Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, said leaders at the summit will further tap into the potential of the economic and trade cooperation between China and central Asian countries.
"The China-Central Asia mechanism can deepen economic and trade cooperation, promote cultural exchanges and information sharing. It will be a high-level political dialogue to directly discuss the core issues and determine the cooperation mechanism. We look forward to more consensus to be reached at this summit in the fields such as economic and trade cooperation and green development which will effectively help the people," said Shakkaliyev.
Xi's visit to Kazakhstan set to boost China-Central Asia cooperation: officials
