FM emphasizes friendship in Kazakhstan visit

Visiting State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China would like to work with Kazakhstan to uphold friendship and advance cooperation in various fields to promote the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries to a new level.

Wang made the comment on Tuesday when he met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Nur-Sultan, capital of Kazakhstan.

Noting the year marks the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Wang said China-Kazakhstan relations have achieved remarkable development and showed strong vitality.

China is ready to work with Kazakhstan to implement important consensus reached by leaders of the two states, Wang said.

China firmly supports Kazakhstan in following a development path that suits its national conditions and in building a "new Kazakhstan", Wang added.

Wang said China would like to strengthen strategic alignment, expand cooperation and bolster people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Kazakhstan.

Tokayev said China's support and cooperation is of vital importance for Kazakhstan to achieve political security, national stability and economic development.

Kazakhstan prioritizes relations with China in its foreign policy and is committed to enriching meaningful bilateral ties, he said.

He expressed commitment to advancing Belt and Road cooperation with China, improving economic and trade investment and expanding cooperation in fields such as agriculture and energy to yield win-win results.

Tokayev added he thought highly of China's significant influence and its constructive role in international affairs, and said his country totally agrees with and supports the China-proposed Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative.

The two initiatives are important and timely, and would help make up for global deficits in peace, governance, trust and development, he said.

Wang voiced his appreciation for Kazakhstan in preparing for the third China+Central Asia foreign ministers' meeting, saying China would like to enhance cooperation and unity with its Central Asian neighbors.

As Kazakhstan assumes the rotating presidency of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, Wang said China supports Kazakhstan in holding the sixth CICA Summit in October.

The two sides also expressed deep concerns over the spillover effects of the Ukraine crisis. Wang called for vigilance against attempts by external forces to involve countries in the region with major power conflicts and coerce countries into picking sides.

Wang expressed hopes Central Asian countries could safeguard regional peace and stability, saying China never seeks geopolitical interests in the region and never allows forces outside the region to disrupt Central Asia.

Tokayev appreciated China for upholding just positions and said the country would maintain close and timely communication with China. He added disputes should be resolved by peaceful means.

On the same day, Wang held talks with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi and met the press with him.