Chinese, Kazakh Leaders Meet to Cement Ties

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, June 04, 2003

Chinese, Kazakh Leaders Meet to Cement Ties

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev met in Astana on Tuesday to discuss bilateral relations, regional situation and major international issues.

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Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev met in Astana on Tuesday to discuss bilateral relations, regional situation and major international issues.

During their meeting, Nazarbayev expressed his belief that President Hu's visit will push forward the development of the Kazakhstan-China relations.

President Hu stressed that Kazakhstan is an important neighbor of China.

Maintaining and developing long-term stable good-neighborly ties based on mutual benefits and cooperation not only serve the common aspiration and fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, but also are conducive to regional peace, stability and development, he said.

He promised that the new Chinese leadership will stick to the principle of developing neighborly friendship with Kazakhstan and promote bilateral cooperation based on mutual benefits.

Meanwhile, President Hu proposed that the two countries deepen political mutual trust and keep high-level contacts; intensify cooperation in economy and trade, especially in the energy sector;expand exchanges and cooperation in science and technology, education, culture, sports and health; strengthen cooperation in dealing with international affairs, particularly further cement coordination within the framework of the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

He also briefed Nazarbayev about the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) situation in China, noting that the Chinese government will continue to take effective measures along the border with Kazakhstan to prevent the disease from spreading out of China.

Following their meeting, the two leaders endorsed a joint declaration at the presidential palace. Several other documents on cooperation between the two sides in different fields were also signed.

Speaking at a joint press conference after their talks, President Hu said that he had a "fruitful and friendly" discussion with Nazarbayev and both sides were "very satisfied" with the development of the Sino-Kazakh relations.

Meanwhile, Nazarbayev expressed his gratitude to China for its support and aid to his country since it became independent.

Hu's visit seals energy deals

The countries signed off on two landmark documents Tuesday -- a general agreement on an oil pipeline from Western Kazakhstan to China and an agreement on increasing China's investment in oil and gas in Kazakhstan.

The pipeline project is estimated at US$3 billion to US$3.5 billion. In its first phase, about 1,200 kilometres of pipeline will be laid, capable of handling 10 to 20 million tons of oil a year.

Kazakhstan had become China's second largest trade partner in the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), following Russia.

Bilateral trade has grown smoothly in recent years and hit a record of US$1.9 billion last year, according to Chinese customs statistics.

Xing Guangcheng, general secretary of the Chinese Association for East European, Russia and Central Asian Studies, said that economic ties have brought the two countries and peoples substantial benefit, by creating jobs in Kazakhstan and generating revenue for both sides.

Xing said there is still potential for expanding economic relations between China and Kazakhstan, for example, by improving cross-border transport.

China could become a major transit point for Kazakh products entering South and East Asian markets, while it could tap the European market through Kazakhstan, the expert said.

During Tuesday's meeting, Hu also briefed Nazarbayev on China's fight against SARS, saying it had taken strict measures to prevent the infection from spreading into other countries.

Nazarbayev revealed that Kazakhstan is ready to provide equipment and medicines to China for patients infected with SARS.

Earlier Tuesday morning, Nazarbayev presided over a ceremony at the presidential palace to welcome President Hu, who inspected the guards of honor accompanied by Nazarbayev.

Later Tuesday, Hu also met Oralbay Abdikarimov, chairman of the upper chamber of the parliament of Kazakhstan, and Zharmakhan Tuyakbai, speaker of the lower chamber.

President Hu arrived here on Monday to pay a two-day state visit to the central Asian country. On Wednesday, Hu will leave Astana for Mongolia, the last leg of his trip which has also taken him to Moscow, St Petersburg and Evian.

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