Consolidating ties

China and Kazakhstan agreed to build up cooperation on economy, trade, production capacity, investment and emerging sectors such as renewable energy, as part of broader steps to strengthen pragmatic cooperation.

President Xi Jinping and visiting Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reached the consensus during their talks in Xi’an, Shaanxi province on May 17.

The two leaders signed a joint statement in which the two nations agreed to promote cooperation on transportation to stabilize industry and supply chains, including steps to explore building a third cross-border railway line and constructing new railway border ports.

Both sides underscored the significance of safeguarding political security and opposing foreign interference in the domestic affairs of the two nations, and they agreed to enhance cooperation on preventing “color revolutions”.

Tokayev arrived in Xi’an on May 17 for a state visit and to attend the China-Central Asia Summit that was held from May 18 to 19. May 17 also was the 70th birthday of Tokayev, the first Central Asian leader to arrive in Xi’an for the summit.

During their talks, Xi wished the Kazakh president a happy birthday, saying that his state visit to China on this special occasion spoke volumes for the high level of bilateral relations and again proved the Kazakh president’s strong bond with China.

Xi underlined the need for the two sides to carry forward their traditional friendship, closely align development strategies and advance win-win cooperation.

The two nations should strengthen interconnectivity and expand cooperation on e-commerce, innovation, big data and other emerging sectors, Xi said.

He urged quicker steps from both sides to establish cultural centers in each other’s country and to use the introduction of a visa-free regime to promote people-to-people exchanges.

Xi added that the China-Central Asia Summit will be a milestone and usher in a new era of cooperation between China and the five Central Asian countries.