Xi Jinping said that China supports Kazakhstan's entry into BRICS

Photo: Xinhua

ASTANA - China supports Kazakhstan in joining the BRICS group to play the role of a middle power on the international stage and make a proper contribution to global governance, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in Astana on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference with Kazakh President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev after their meeting, he told reporters that his talks with the Kazakh president were friendly and fruitful.

"China and Kazakhstan are both countries that have set a new goal of doubling bilateral trade soon. Both sides have agreed to continuously deepen cooperation in traditional areas such as economy, trade, investment, production capacity, interconnectivity and energy. Our countries will also promote new growth points for cooperation in critical minerals, new energy, scientific and technological innovation, aerospace, digital economy and other areas," Xi Jinping said.

China was Kazakhstan's largest trading partner in 2023, with the volume of bilateral trade increasing by 32 % year-on-year to reach $41 billion. Key exports from Kazakhstan to China include oil, metals and agricultural products, and China supplies Kazakhstan with machinery, electronics and consumer goods.

Xi Jinping also said on Wednesday that China and Kazakhstan are partners on the road to modernisation and that he and his Kazakh counterpart agree that the two countries are at a critical stage of development and revitalisation. "The two sides will continue to carry forward the good tradition of mutual support, deepen mutual political trust, promote synergy of development strategies, and be firm pillars that can be relied on and trusted," Xi said.

Xi Jinping also reported that China and Kazakhstan have agreed to jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative, three key initiatives proposed by China. The two countries pledged to continue close cooperation in international affairs and strengthen coordination and cooperation within the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the China-Central Asia mechanism, as well as other multilateral frameworks.

He also added that the Chinese side will organise the Year of Chinese Tourism in Kazakhstan in 2025. It has also decided to open a second Luban seminar in the Central Asian country and the two sides will expand cooperation in areas such as media, think tanks, as well as in the spheres of culture, film and television. China will also further promote and deepen other partnerships between the provinces and cities of the two countries.

Xi Jinping is on a state visit to Kazakhstan and will attend the 24th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in Astana.

President Tokayev told reporters that Xi's visit has special historical significance and will be a new starting point for the development of relations between Kazakhstan and China at a higher level. China is a friendly neighbor and a permanent comprehensive strategic partner of Kazakhstan, he said, adding that bilateral relations have always been based on mutual respect and trust and there are no outstanding issues between the two countries. Kazakhstan and China share similar positions on many international and regional issues and both countries promote the concept of peaceful diplomacy, Tokayev said.

He added that Kazakhstan looks forward to working with China to promote further achievements in the new "golden 30 years" of bilateral relations.

(per) Xinhua - CMG