Boao, China
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's working visit to Boao continued with a meeting with Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
During the meeting, the President of Kazakhstan thanked the leadership of the People's Republic of China and the Secretariat of the Boao Forum for Asia for the invitation and the excellent organisation of the event.
– I am pleased to participate in the work of the Boao Forum. I believe that this Forum is very important and deserves the most serious support. That is why I have decided to come here and address the Forum. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my greetings and respect to President Xi Jinping. We look forward to his state visit to Kazakhstan in early July. We are confident that under the wise leadership of President Xi Jinping, all important tasks will be fully implemented. We highly value Mr Xi Jinping's personal contribution to strengthening the good-neighbourly relations, the centuries-old friendship and the everlasting comprehensive strategic partnership between our countries. Together we have built effective intergovernmental cooperation in all areas. I remember with great warmth our meeting with Mr Xi Jinping in Beijing. I believe that our efforts to deepen and diversify cooperation between Kazakhstan and China will be successful, – said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The Head of State stressed that all efforts of the parties are aimed at bringing Kazakh-Chinese relations to a qualitatively new level.
– In general, friendly and cooperative relations with China are an absolute priority for us. We are instructing all government departments to work closely with their counterparts in the People's Republic of China to develop a relationship of comprehensive strategic partnership. In my speech today, I gave concrete examples of our cooperation, the growth of trade, the growth of Chinese investment in our economy. All of this is, of course, very important. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my personal invitation to you to pay an official visit to Kazakhstan as Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, – the President said.
In turn, Zhao Leji warmly welcomed Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and noted the dynamic development of bilateral ties.
– Dear President Tokayev, it is a great pleasure to meet you once again. First of all, I would like to convey to you the sincere greetings and best wishes of President Xi Jinping. I would also like to welcome you to China for the annual Boao Forum for Asia. Your participation shows that you attach great importance to the development of China-Kazakhstan relations and support the activities of the Forum. Your country has recently celebrated the traditional holiday of the beginning of spring – Nauryz. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you, Mr. President, and the friendly people of Kazakhstan on this holiday. Last year, President Xi Jinping and you, Mr. President, met in Xi'an and Beijing. New grand plans for the development of bilateral relations were outlined. The Chinese side is willing to work with our Kazakh colleagues to implement the important agreements reached by the leaders, enhance political trust and deepen practical cooperation to achieve strategic goals, – said the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
During the talks, the interlocutors discussed in detail the prospects for further strengthening of trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as the implementation of joint projects in transport, industry, tourism and other spheres.
