Premier Zhu Rongji Meets Kazakh PresidentChinese Premier Zhu Rongji held talks Friday with Kazakh President Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev on friendly bilateral relations in Alma Ata.During the meeting, Nazarbayev said the visit of the high-level delegation led by Zhu to Kazakhstan would promote the good neighborly cooperative relations between the two countries. He said Kazakh-Chinese cooperation has expanded in all fields including economy and trade, transportation and energy, adding that he and President Jiang Zemin have attached great importance to the bilateral ties. Nazarbayev expressed thanks for China's support for his country 's protection of state sovereignty and independence while praising China's internal and foreign policies. He said his government follows the "one China" policy and opposes national separatism of all forms. The establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has helped promote the cooperation in various fields of politics, economy and trade and culture, said Nazarbayev. He also said his country particularly attached importance to the setting up of an anti-terrorism center within the framework. Zhu, who arrived here for a visit to Kazakhstan on Wednesday, paid high tribute to the achievements made by the Kazakh people during the past 10 years. This year is the 10th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence. He said his visit aims to make sure what has been agreed upon by the Chinese and Kazakh presidents with regard to developing friendly cooperation will be carried out. The Chinese premier said he exchanged views with Kazakh Prime Minister Kasymzhomart Kemelevich Tokayev on Wednesday on bilateral cooperation, especially joint development of oil and gas, and the two sides reached a series of agreements. Good-neighborliness and mutually beneficial cooperation are the correct choice of the two peoples, he said. Meanwhile, the Chinese premier said terrorism, separatism and religious extremism have been rampant in Central Asia over the past few years, threatening the safety and stability of all nations in the region. He said China would like to cooperate with the Kazakh side in further strengthening the fight against the three forces, in a bid to ensure the prosperity and development of the region. He also praised the preparations made by Kazakhstan, the host nation, for the first meeting of the six prime ministers of the " Shanghai Cooperation Organization" in Alma Ata. Kazakhstan is the last leg of Zhu's four-nation tour, which has taken him to Ireland, Belgium and Russia. |
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