BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Kazakh Foreign Minister Beibut Atamkulov in Beijing Thursday, vowing to promote cooperation in various fields.
Calling Kazakhstan a good neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of China, Wang said that under the leadership of the first President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan has made well-recognized achievements in national building and is playing an increasingly important role in international and regional affairs.
"China speaks highly of Nazarbayev's outstanding contribution to promoting China-Kazakhstan friendship. The new President (Kassym-Jomart) Tokayev has also been an old friend of Chinese people," Wang said, adding China has every confidence in the future of bilateral relations.
Noting the two sides should maintain close high-level exchanges and enhance political mutual trust, Wang said China welcomes the first President Nazarbayev to attend the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
Wang called on both parties to renew their efforts and work together in promoting the construction of the Belt and Road.
Both parties should deepen security cooperation, jointly safeguard the security and stability of the two countries and the region and maintain close cooperation in international and regional affairs, he added.
Atamkulov, for his part, stressed that Kazakhstan will continue to implement the important consensus reached by the first President Nazarbayev and President Xi Jinping and continuously strengthen and deepen the strategic cooperation between Kazakhstan and China.
Emphasizing that President Tokayev attaches great importance to the development of relations with China, the foreign minister said that Kazakhstan is willing to work with China to promote the construction of the Belt and Road and strengthen cooperation in various fields.
Atamkulov said Kazakhstan understands and supports the measures taken in Xinjiang to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism and to ensure regional security and stability.
