A major Kazakhstani newspaper has published an op-ed by Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of his state visit to the central Asia country.

The article in Aikyn Gazeti is headlined "May the China-Kazakhstan relationship soar toward our shared aspirations".

Xi wrote that relations between the two countries are stronger than ever.

He also urged both sides to cooperate more, including in building Belt and Road infrastructure.

During his visit from June 7 to 10, Xi will attend the 17th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the opening ceremony of the Astana Expo 2017.