Kazakhstan is developing increasingly closer ties and cooperation with China in a myriad of fields thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and platforms like the China-Central Asia Summit, which are helping the landlocked country become more connected to the world, said Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Kistafin highlighted how the BRI, energy ties and people-to-people links are reshaping his country.
Kazakhstan was one of the first countries to join the BRI. Over the past years, cooperation between China and Kazakhstan has yielded fruitful results and benefited the two peoples, said Kistafin.
"Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world, and the main purpose of our government today is to transform Kazakhstan from a landlocked to a land-linked country. And this is why we pay very special attention to developing collaboration with China in terms of the One Belt, One Road Initiative. In 2023, for the first time ever in China in Xi'an, we held the first China-Central Asia summit. During this summit, we discussed a broad range of issues. And as the outcome of this very important gathering, 54 initiatives have been launched with 19 platforms to be established in the years to come," he said.
At the invitation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, from June 16 to 18.
Kistafin said China and Central Asian countries including Kazakhstan have been fostering closer ties across the board with the help of this platform which not only benefit these countries but also the rest of the world.
"At the end of April this year in Almaty, we held the ministerial conference, China-Central Asia at the level of our foreign ministers. So we discussed pressing issues of the world today. The main focus definitely will be dedicated to developing our original connectivity, strengthening our political dialog, improving our economic ties, developing our people-to-people connections, with a special focus on cultural diplomacy, sports diplomacy, our joint scientific research and so forth. Another very important part of our cooperation, of course, will be dedicated to energy security issues. So as you might see, we have a broad range of issues to discuss. And what we see is that this kind of collaboration, this kind of platform, can serve to strengthening collaboration not only in terms of Central Asia and China but far beyond," he said.
China-Central Asia Summit enhances China-Kazakhstan ties: Kazak ambassador
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
