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ASTANA – Kazakhstan and China have excellent economic cooperation, but new agreements and deals are needed for the two countries to move forward, President Qasim Jomart Tokayev said in an interview with the China CGTN channel on May 12. Stated.
Tokayev was interviewed by the Leaders Talk Program, which specializes in reporting on international affairs. More than 20 heads of state and international organizations gave exclusive interviews for the programme.Photo credit: Akorda Press Office
The interview aired a week before Mr. Tokayev’s state visit. He will hold bilateral talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and attend the Central Asia-China Summit in Xi’an.previous tokaev made a state visit Our visit to this country was in September 2019.
Xi Jinping this time made a state visit He visited Kazakhstan in September 2022, his first foreign visit since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Tokayev stressed the importance of economic relations and acknowledged China’s important role as one of Kazakhstan’s major trading partners.
Bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and China will reach $24 billion in 2022, according to the National Statistics Office. Kazakhstan’s exports to China have increased by more than a third to over $13 billion. Imports increased by 33.5% to $11 billion.
“That is why I am so excited about future visits to Xi’an, the cradle of Chinese civilization. I believe we need an effort to move economic relations forward in this complex world,” said Tokayev, who speaks fluent Chinese.
CGTN anchor Wang Guang.Photo credit: Akorda Press Office
Kazakhstan exports to China petroleum, copper and copper cathodes, copper ores and concentrates, natural gas, ferroalloys, uranium and sunflower oil.
Imports from China into Kazakhstan include telephones, computers, generators, ferrous metal products, tires, auto and truck parts and accessories, road and construction machinery, and automobiles.
Another flagship project of bilateral cooperation is the Belt and Road Initiative, which Xi Jinping proposed in Astana in 2013 and celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Global infrastructure development initiatives aim to enhance connectivity and foster economic cooperation across Asia, Europe and Africa.
strategic partnership
In an hour-long interview, Tokayev also emphasized the enduring strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and China, saying China occupies a very important position in Kazakhstan’s foreign policy.
“I think this is very much in line with the long-standing interests of the Kazakh people and I am very committed to this kind of policy. I have no doubts about the importance of building partnerships,” Tokaev said.
Tokayev sees the bilateral relationship as “open and sincere.”
“In fact, China is the second largest economy in the world. Therefore, we should recognize China’s role and have a very good relationship with you,” he added.
For that reason, people-to-people connections are important.
“I am very passionate about developing cooperation and friendship between the young people of our two countries. The younger generation should know each other very well,” Tokayev said.
Central Asia benefits from cooperation with China
Cooperation with Central Asia and China is also promising. Tokayev said he had high hopes for the upcoming in-person summit, the first since formal ties were established 31 years ago.
“China is playing an increasingly important role in our part of the world, Central Asia, and it is only natural. And we will do our best to promote this kind of cooperation, ”said the Kazakhstan president.
Key role for Kazakhstan
Mr. Tokayev emphasized Kazakhstan’s important role in bridging trade routes and international relations.
“I believe that the future of Kazakhstan should be bright. That is why I have tried my best to promote further development of Kazakhstan as a developed country with a highly developed economy,” he said. rice field.
Tokayev reiterated the country’s multi-vector and balanced foreign policy, describing it as a “historic destiny”.
“It is our historic destiny to benefit from peaceful and friendly relations with our neighbors, where all countries, especially China, play a vital role,” he said.
Kazakhstan’s position on Taiwan
Asked by reporters about Kazakhstan’s position on Taiwan, Tokayev said, “There should not be two Chinas.”
“Taiwan is part of China. Therefore, the principle of territorial integrity of all countries is set out in the United Nations Charter, which must be respected. So, again, it’s perfectly clear to us that Taiwan is part of China, and we have no hesitation about it,” he concluded.
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