Kazakh president calls for expanded cooperation with China

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli meets with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Astana, Kazakhstan, April 18, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said that he looks forward to attending the Belt and Road Forum to be held in Beijing on May 14-15 and having in-depth discussions with China on the integration of development strategies on April 18, 2017.

Nazarbayev made the remarks when meeting with visiting Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli on Tuesday in Astana, capital of the Central Asian country.

Nazarbayev said he was very glad to be invited by Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing and that he will discuss with Xi detailed plans to integrate Kazakhstan's development strategies with China.

Xi will attend the opening ceremony of the forum and host a round-table leaders' summit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday in Beijing at a press conference.

At least 28 heads of state and government confirmed attendance at the forum, said Wang, the highest-profile international meeting on the Belt and Road since Xi put forward the initiative in 2013 during a speech in Astana.

The initiative aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trading routes, leading to mutually beneficial economic outcomes for every nation it reaches.

Zhang, who arrived in Astana on Monday night for a three-day visit, said that his visit is aimed to forge ahead the implementation of the previous consensus reached by both presidents, and prepare for the meetings between Xi and Nazarbayev in 2017.

Hailing the fruitful achievements scored by both countries under the Belt and Road Initiative in recent years, Zhang said both the cooperation scale and quality have reached a new level.

He suggested the two countries to further enhance integration of development strategies, deepen cooperation in major areas and expand new areas so as to ensure more achievements in the future.

China welcomes Nazarbayev's attendance at the forum in May, Zhang said, expressing the hope that the two countries can further promote cooperation via the occasion.

The year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Kazakhstan.

Speaking highly of the sound development of the relationship, Nazarbayev said the achievements Kazakhstan scored in recent years cannot realize without China's strong support.

Kazakhstan firmly supports China's domestic and international policy and the Belt and Road Initiative, he said.