Strategic partnership boost

President Xi Jinping (center) reviews the honor guard, accompanied by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, during a welcoming ceremony at the presidential palace in Astana on Wednesday. YUE YUEWEI/XINHUA

President Xi and Kazakh President Tokayev hold talks on Wednesday at the presidential palace in Astana during Xi's state visit to Kazakhstan. FENG YONGBIN/CHINA DAILY

President Xi and Kazakh President Tokayev meet the media after their talks at the presidential palace in Astana on Wednesday. ZHAI JIANLAN/XINHUA

Kazakh President Tokayev and senior officials welcome President Xi at the airport in Astana on Tuesday. FENG YONGBIN/CHINA DAILY

A grand welcoming ceremony is held for President Xi's arrival at the airport in Astana on Tuesday. YIN BOGU/XINHUA

Children wave Chinese and Kazakh national flags at the welcoming ceremony at the airport in Astana on Tuesday. XIE HUANCHI/XINHUA

The Akorda presidential palace and surrounding buildings in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Tuesday. WANG JIANHUA/XINHUA