Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday held talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana ahead of the second China-Central Asia Summit.
Xi arrived in the Kazakh capital earlier on the same day to attend the summit at the invitation of Tokayev.
During their meeting at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace, Xi noted that China-Kazakhstan relations have withstood the test of a changing international landscape and have constantly grown at a high level. This is attributed to the two countries' geographical proximity as neighbors and their historical bond of friendship from generation to generation, and it is also the natural choice of the two countries' common development, he said.
Xi said China stands ready to work with Kazakhstan to contribute more to regional and world peace and development through the stability and positive energy of their bilateral ties.
The Chinese leader emphasized that both China and Kazakhstan are at a crucial stage of national development and revitalization, and the two countries must work together to advance all-round cooperation.
To this end, Xi said China and Kazakhstan should continue to support each other on issues involving core interests and major concerns, and promote synergy of their respective development strategies.
He called on China and Kazakhstan to promote connectivity, high-tech cooperation and green development.
Xi also urged both countries to expand law enforcement and defense exchanges, to jointly combat terrorism, separatism and extremism, and added that the two sides should enhance cultural and people's exchanges.
In the face of a volatile and turbulent international landscape, China and Kazakhstan must firmly safeguard the international system with the UN at its core, as well as the international order underpinned by international law, practice true multilateralism, and safeguard the common interests of the vast majority of developing countries, Xi said.
China highly commends Kazakhstan's extensive preparations for the second China-Central Asia Summit and believes this meeting will open a new chapter in cooperation between China and Central Asia, he added.
Tokayev praised China as a friendly neighbor, close friend, and trustworthy partner of Kazakhstan. He said the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and China is entering a new golden age, driving sustainable economic and social development in both countries and benefiting their peoples.
Kazakhstan and China share a strong political will to enhance cooperation, and always support each other on issues involving core interests such as sovereignty and security, irrespective of any changes in the international situation, the Kazakh president said.
Tokayev added that Kazakhstan is ready to deepen strategic mutual trust and all-round mutually beneficial cooperation with China. The two countries should advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, expand collaboration in trade, investment, industry, agriculture, energy, transportation, and other fields, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges in culture, education, sports, and tourism, he said.
Kazakhstan highly commends and actively supports China's efforts to uphold international fairness and justice, and stands ready to continue close cooperation and mutual support with China in multilateral frameworks to steer the international order toward greater fairness and equity, Tokayev added.
Following the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the exchange of over 10 bilateral cooperation documents covering trade, investment, science and technology, customs, tourism, media, and other fields.
Xi holds talks with Kazakh President
