President Xi Jinping Makes State Visit to Kazakhstan

On the afternoon of September 14, President Xi Jinping arrived in Nur-sultan and began his state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

During the formal talks, President Xi pointed out that over the past three decades since China and Kazakhstan established diplomatic ties, the bilateral relationship has stood the test of the changing international landscape, achieving greater substance, attaining higher levels, and yielding more fruitful outcomes.

Xi recalled that the two countries have created many “firsts” in their relations, including the first in settling the boundary question, the first in laying cross-border oil and gas pipelines, the first in conducting international production capacity cooperation, and the first in building a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership.

He noted that China highly values its relations with Kazakhstan and firmly supports Kazakhstan in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and in taking reform measures to preserve national stability and development. China will always be a trustworthy and reliable friend and partner of Kazakhstan.

Xi said that China is ready to work with Kazakhstan in firmly supporting each other’s development and rejuvenation, and helping each other achieve development and prosperity. The unbreakable friendship between China and Kazakhstan will contribute to the growth of positive and progressive forces in the world and to the building of a community with a shared future for humankind.

Kazakhstan President Kassym-jomart Tokayev said the fact that President Xi chose to visit Kazakhstan on his first overseas trip since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic — and on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of China-kazakhstan diplomatic relations — fully reflects the high degree of mutual trust between the two countries and the high-level nature of the Kazakhstan-china permanent comprehensive strategic partnership.

Kazakhstan will continue to firmly uphold the one-china principle and be a good partner and good friend that China can always rely on under all circumstances. Kazakhstan will continue to actively support and participate in the BRI.

President Tokayev expressed his appreciation of China’s valuable support to Kazakhstan in its battle against COVID-19 and pursuit of economic development. He expressed that Kazakhstan hopes to better synergize development strategies with China, intensify exchanges at various levels, and deepen cooperation across the board including economy and trade, infrastructure, and people-to-people engagements.

He also indicated that Kazakhstan stands ready to work with China to implement the

Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, enhance coordination and collaboration within frameworks such as the SCO, CICA, and China+central Asia, and jointly safeguard security and stability in the region and promote common development.