In his article, the Chairman of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, shared his expectations and views on the upcoming state visit to Kazakhstan and his participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. Xi Jinping, who will visit Kazakhstan for the fifth time, expressed sincere affection for the country's culture, landscapes, and people. He noted that this visit is especially important as it provides a unique opportunity not only to enjoy the beauty and achievements of the New Kazakhstan but also to discuss key issues of bilateral cooperation with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The article focuses on current topics of Sino-Kazakh relations, outlines priority areas for their further development, and emphasizes the importance of strengthening the partnership between the two countries and the role of the SCO in regional stability and prosperity.
A New Stage of Sino-Kazakh Partnership
Summer is in full swing, the sun is at its zenith. At such a wonderful time, I will make a state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan and participate in the SCO summit at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. As Chairman of the PRC, I am visiting your charming country for the fifth time. The brilliant culture of Kazakhstan with its bright identity, its incredibly stunning landscapes, and the kind and hospitable people – all this always evokes a feeling of special sympathy in me. The upcoming visit, from which I expect a lot, will allow me not only to pleasantly view and admire the appearance and achievements of the New Kazakhstan but also to discuss with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev the most pressing topics of bilateral cooperation, outline the priority areas of Sino-Kazakh relations, and further development of the SCO.
Reuters/Selim Chtayti
More than 2,000 years ago, Zhang Qian's diplomatic mission to the West marked the beginning of friendly ties between China and Central Asia. More than 80 years ago, in the city of Almaty, Chinese composer Xian Xinghai met, befriended, and formed a brotherhood without borders with his Kazakh colleague B. Baykadamov. 32 years ago, China was one of the first to recognize Kazakhstan's independence, and since then, bilateral relations have been sailing forward with full sails. The centuries-old friendship fully demonstrates that the development of relations between our countries meets both the trend of history and the leitmotif of the time.
Eleven years ago, in Kazakhstan, I first announced the "Silk Road Economic Belt" initiative, which was enthusiastically received by your country's public. Since then, grand cooperation between China and Kazakhstan has been unfolding within the framework of the "Belt and Road Initiative." A new stage of bilateral relations has begun.
In the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, we have achieved an unprecedented level of political mutual trust and made a leap in the development of Sino-Kazakh relations – from comprehensive strategic partnership to eternal comprehensive strategic partnership, as well as aspiring to a shared future in the spirit of eternal friendship, deep mutual trust, and solidarity, development, and prosperity. Both sides always resolutely support each other on issues affecting core interests and key concerns, always respect each other in independently choosing the path of development according to national characteristics. In difficult moments, whether it be floods, pandemics, or other trials, we always extend a helping hand to each other, standing back-to-back and providing the most reliable support to each other. Such indestructible, extremely valuable trust and camaraderie have served as a key political guarantee of cooperation.
In the spirit of mutual benefit and joint development, we have achieved new impressive results in practical cooperation. Last year's bilateral trade volume reached a record $41 billion. China holds the position of Kazakhstan's main trading partner and the largest importer of Kazakh goods. Strategically significant projects such as the Zhanatas Wind Farm, Turgusun Hydroelectric Power Plant have been successfully commissioned, the modernization and reconstruction of the Shymkent Oil Refinery have been completed, China-Kazakhstan oil and gas pipelines operate safely and stably, a green corridor for accelerated customs clearance of all agricultural product nomenclature has been created, and more and more high-quality and environmentally friendly agricultural products from Kazakhstan are reaching Chinese tables. The potential for cooperation in renewable energy and transport infrastructure is constantly being revealed. A dry port in the city of Xi'an has been commissioned. The Western Europe-Western China highway and China-Europe container trains are operating smoothly, providing a powerful impetus to the development of the two countries.
In the spirit of mutual complementarity and enrichment, we have achieved another boom in cultural and humanitarian ties. An agreement on the mutual establishment of cultural centers has been signed. The first film "Composer" was jointly shot. Project activities in the cultural and humanitarian sphere started from scratch and achieved significant results. Branches of Chinese universities in Kazakhstan, the Lu Ban Workshop, and the Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine are evidence of this. The visa-free regime allows the people of the two countries to visit each other more often as relatives. The number of mutual visits last year was approximately 600 thousand, and in the first three months of this year exceeded 200 thousand, a new record is already ahead. Interregional cooperation is also gaining momentum, with 26 pairs of sister cities established. The ambassadors of Sino-Kazakh friendship in the new era include ophthalmologist S. Kabylbekov, who is highly respected and authoritative among Chinese patients, the owner and donor of the rare "panda blood" type Ruslan Tulenov, as well as the popular singer in China Dimash.
Close interaction and joint responses to challenges have brought us new tangible results on the international stage. China and Kazakhstan have similar positions on international and regional affairs, advocate for the implementation of the concept of general, comprehensive, joint, and sustainable security, strive for peace on the planet, global development, and a fair world order. Together, we created the "China-Central Asia" format, closely cooperate within the framework of the UN, SCO, CICA, and other multilateral platforms, actively support each other's constructive initiatives for international cooperation, and resolutely defend common strategic interests, security, and development interests.
The promising Sino-Kazakh cooperation inspires confidence in a bright future. I hope that the upcoming visit will allow President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and I to multiply the good tradition of centuries-old friendship and comprehensive cooperation, outline new plans for the further development of bilateral relations in the interests of raising the eternal comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan to a new height.
First, strengthen traditional mutual support in the political sphere. Chinese wisdom says that before friends, every word must be kept. We will continue to build relationships with Kazakh friends based on sincerity and trust, deepen political mutual trust and strategic coordination, increase mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and key concerns. The Chinese side consistently supports Kazakhstan's efforts to protect national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, to follow the independently chosen path of development, to implement domestic and foreign policies to ensure the prosperity of the state, and opposes any external interference in Kazakhstan's internal affairs. It is important to develop and enhance the four important principles of mutual respect, good neighborliness, mutual assistance, and mutual benefit to maintain a sustainable dynamic in the development of bilateral relations.
Second, fully utilize the advantages of mutually beneficial cooperation. Each of our countries has its own set of resources. The economies of China and Kazakhstan complement each other structurally and have huge prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation. We will activate the joint implementation of the "Belt and Road" initiative with the promotion of the economic course of Fair Kazakhstan, expand access for Kazakh goods to the giant Chinese market for joint use of China's development opportunities. It is necessary to enhance cooperation in such traditional areas as trade and economy, industry, investment, energy, mining, and agriculture, increase the capacity of border crossings, improve the service of China-Europe freight trains, and build the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) to improve a ramified and highly efficient transport connectivity network. It is also important to fully exploit the potential of cooperation in high-tech fields, including new energy sources, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, cross-border e-commerce, aviation, and space, cultivate production and supply chains with high added value, and give additional impetus to the cooperation between the two countries.
Third, strengthen the social foundation of centuries-old friendship. Deepening friendship is the common aspiration and desire of our peoples. To preserve and develop it, it is necessary to conduct meaningful cultural and humanitarian exchanges to further deepen the understanding and rapprochement of the two peoples. The role of the Lu Ban Workshop, Confucius Institutes, and the branch of Northwest Polytechnic University of China in Kazakhstan should be identified. We welcome the organization of joint training and research through universities, analytical centers, and research institutes of China and Kazakhstan, support the activation of ties between different public circles, encourage the creation of new sister city ties both at the regional level and between cities. It is important to consistently activate cooperation in education, tourism, archeology, art, and the media to deepen and expand cultural and humanitarian exchanges.
Fourth, adapt to the rapidly occurring changes unprecedented in a century. In the context of changing international circumstances for the comprehensive mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Kazakhstan, we face unprecedented threats and challenges, but at the same time, it creates new opportunities. As they say in China, crisis and opportunity are interconnected, as there is an opportunity behind the crisis, and crisis moments can be turned into opportunities. Faced with unprecedented changes, epochal and historical changes, the Chinese side is ready with the Kazakh side to create new opportunities in moments of crisis and open up new prospects in times of change, resolutely stand guard over the UN-centered international system and world order based on international law, implement genuine multilateralism, oppose hegemony, power politics and bloc confrontation, promote equitable and orderly multipolarity of the world, inclusive and inclusive economic globalization. Let's add more positive energy and stability together, making a greater Sino-Kazakh contribution to ensuring peace and stability in the world.
In addition to the state visit, I will participate in the SCO summit in Astana. The Kazakh side has done tremendous fruitful work under its chairmanship, which has helped increase the authority of our organization. The Chinese side highly appreciates this. I am confident that with joint efforts, the Astana summit will conclude on a high note, unite the larger SCO family, and open a new chapter of cooperation.
© Sputnik / Kamshat Abdirayim
As ancient Chinese wisdom says: "Victory lies in unity and solidarity," and in Kazakhstan, they say: "Fingers may be different, but the hand is one – deeds may be different, but the goal is one." We are ready, shoulder to shoulder with Kazakh partners, to pave the way for joint prosperity and national revival, to new horizons of Sino-Kazakh friendship.
