The Hebei Week inaugurated at the China Pavilion of the Astana Expo on July 14. Wang Jinzhen, vice-chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Zhang Hanhui, Chinese ambassador to Kazakhstan, Talgat Doskenov, vice-chairman of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Wang Xiaodong, deputy governor of Hebei province, attended and addressed the ceremony. More than 150 people attended the opening ceremony, including government officials from Kazakhstan, pavilion curators from several other countries, representatives of Kazakhstan business associations and enterprises, and representatives of the relevant departments and entrepreneurs from Hebei.

Wang Jinzhen, vice-chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), addresses during the opening ceremony of Hebei Week at the Astana Expo on July 14.

Wang Jinzhen, at the ceremony, said that the expo is an important platform to showcase the achievements of human civilization, as well as to strengthen cooperation with everyone involved. With the theme of "Future Energy, Green Silk Road", the China Pavilion demonstrated the new concept of China's energy development and innovative achievements. Hebei, as China's major energy province, has an abundance of coal resources, rich experience in developing new energy and related industrial clusters, which help in laying a solid foundation for strengthening cooperation between China and Kazakhstan.

Zhang Hanhui, Chinese ambassador to Kazakhstan, addresses during the opening ceremony of Hebei Week at the Astana Expo on July 14.

Hebei is among China's most important regions. Its unique geographical location provides a favorable condition and the coordinated development strategy of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei regions brings great opportunities for Hebei's development, therefore, there are great potentials and broad prospects for the cooperation between the two nations. They are hoping that both the entrepreneurs will make full use of the advantages at offer to strengthen cooperation and deepen mutual trust, and make due contributions to the development of bilateral economic and trade relations, Zhang said.

Doskenov addresses during the opening ceremony of Hebei Week at the Astana Expo on July 14.

Doskenov said that there has been positive progress made for the bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Kazakhstan. In view of the increasingly close cooperation between the entrepreneurs, it is necessary to establish a business association in which both Chinese and Kazakh entrepreneurs can participate. He said he believes that under the coordinated development of "Silk Road Economic Belt" and "Bright Road", entrepreneurs of the two countries are expected to better their cooperation.

Wang Xiaodong, deputy governor of Hebei province, addresses during the opening ceremony of Hebei Week at the Astana Expo on July 14.

Wang Xiaodong said that the bilateral ties between Hebei and Kazakhstan have flourished with close exchanges. Last year, the trade volume between Hebei and Kazakhstan saw growth against the shrinking trend. In the first half of this year, the trade volume increased by more than 120 percent. Wang said that he hopes there will be more fruitful results on cooperation between Hebei province and Kazakhstan and other central Asian countries, in the future.

Enterprise representatives and officials attend the China (Hebei) Green Energy International Cooperation Project Promotion and Matchmaking Meeting.

 

The Hebei Week opens at the China Pavilion of the Astana Expo on July 14.

 

Cultural performances

China (Hebei) Green Energy International Cooperation Project Promotion and Matchmaking Meeting was held at the end of the opening ceremony. Representatives from the International Atomic Energy Department of the United Nations Energy Agency and the Hebei Energy Bureau presented the development and achievements of renewable energy. Other representatives of related enterprises promoted their investment projects respectively. The fair offers a pragmatic platform for domestic and foreign guests on green energy cooperation and exchange.

To demonstrate Hebei images in the light of the theme of the expo, seven activities are designed by the Hebei government, including capacity and trade promotion fair, tourism and Winter Olympics promotion fair, exhibitions and cultural performances, and green energy technology exchange fair. And through various high-level exchange visits and other activities, China will promote deeper cooperation with Kazakhstan and other countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.