Kazakhstan-China Relations Rooted in Friendship, Shared History, and Good Neighborliness: President Tokayev

Astana, The Gulf Observer: President Xi Jinping of China will attend the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana and pay state visits to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan and President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan.

In anticipation of the visit, President Tokayev gave an interview to Xinhua News Agency, expressing Kazakhstan’s high regard for its partnership with China. He emphasized that the relationship between the two countries is rooted in strong ties of friendship, shared history, and good neighborliness. In September 2022, the presidents of China and Kazakhstan marked the beginning of a “golden 30th anniversary” of bilateral cooperation.

President Tokayev highlighted that Xi Jinping’s visit to Kazakhstan is his first overseas trip since the coronavirus pandemic, underscoring the priority Beijing places on its relations with Kazakhstan.

President Tokayev also recalled his own visits to China over the past year, which included participation in significant events such as the Central Asia – China Summit in May 2023, the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation last October, and the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in March this year.

He stressed that the development of personal ties between leaders is crucial for deepening bilateral cooperation and opening new horizons in the relations between the two countries. The friendly and trust-based relationships established between the two nations contribute to achieving greater goals.

President Tokayev expressed his high regard for his meetings with President Xi Jinping. He noted that during these meetings, the presidents discuss pressing issues and prospects for strengthening their multilateral strategic partnership and share views on the global situation in an open and trustworthy atmosphere.

This visit signifies a further strengthening of the already robust China-Kazakhstan relationship and highlights the importance of ongoing diplomatic and economic cooperation between the two countries.