Astana, 28 April 2024 (TDI): The Kazakh Foreign Minister met the Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister on 25 April in the capital city of Kazakhstan, Astana. Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu and Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Sun Weidong discussed areas of bilateral cooperation.
Throughout the meeting, both parties engaged in discussions concerning bilateral collaboration across multiple domains, encompassing trade and economic relations, cultural exchanges, humanitarian endeavors, and regional as well as international security dynamics. Of particular significance were deliberations regarding forthcoming high-level events.
Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu expressed confidence in deepening the strategic partnership between the two states based on mutual respect, understanding, and beneficial cooperation.
In turn, Deputy Foreign Minister Sun Weidong emphasized the importance of the development and strengthening of friendly relations between China and Kazakhstan and expressed readiness to continue the work on expanding cooperation in all areas.
Also Read: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to invest in Trans-Afghan Railway
In an inter-ministerial consultation held on April 26, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Alibek Bakayev, the Kazakh and Chinese delegations focused on political cooperation between the two nations.
The discussions encompassed various aspects including trade, economic collaboration, investment opportunities, as well as cultural and humanitarian exchanges.
Also Read: Afghanistan-Kazakhstan jointly inaugurates Chamber of Commerce
Both sides confirmed their readiness to continue close coordination in international and regional structures, including the United Nations (UN), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), and the Central Asia-China format.
China has been stepping up its energy trade with Kazakhstan in recent years, as it increasingly looks to Central Asia for diversified sources of oil and gas.
Astana has also been a vital partner in Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, with Kazakhstan home to a number of infrastructure projects, including a transport hub in the border city of Khorgos.
