Visa-free regime, trade and Dimash Qudaibergen: What Xi Jinping said about Kazakhstan before visiting Astana
President of China Xi Jinping is one of the high-ranking guests at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana. Shortly before his travel to Kazakhstan, Xi wrote an article about the country, commenting on bilateral trade, the advantages of a visa-free regime and his commitment to defending Kazakhstan’s independence. Kursiv.media has gathered the most interesting quotes from President Xi’s article published by Kazinform.kz.
On the friendship between China and Kazakhstan
«Eleven years ago, I was in Kazakhstan when I announced the Belt and Road Initiative, which was hailed by many people in your country. Since then, cooperation between Kazakhstan and China has developed within the initiative by leaps and bounds. A new era in our bilateral relations has begun. The two sides always support each other on issues related to their vital interests and key concerns, respecting each other’s right to choose their path following their national peculiarities. In hard times when difficulties such as the pandemic or floods emerge, we always offer each other a hand, providing reliable support and standing shoulder to shoulder. This unshakable, precious trust and togetherness are key political conditions for close cooperation.»
On economic cooperation
«Last year, our bilateral trade reached a record height of $41 billion. China is the main trading partner for Kazakhstan and the largest importer of Kazakhstani goods. Together, we have successfully commissioned strategically important projects such as the Zhanatas wind power plant and the Turgusun hydropower station, and completed the modernization and reconstruction of the Shymkent refinery. Oil and gas pipelines stretching from Kazakhstan to China have been operating smoothly, while Kazakhstani exports of agricultural products pass through our customs control via a green corridor. You can find more and more high-quality and ecologically clean agricultural products from Kazakhstan on the tables of ordinary Chinese.»
The Chinese leader also believes that the two countries must expand their cooperation in high-tech, including new energy sources, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, transborder e-commerce, aviation and space.
«Our countries possess many resources. Given that the Chinese and Kazakhstani economies are different, they can effectively complement each other, promising unlimited prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation. We are going to take additional measures to facilitate Kazakhstani goods to reach the giant Chinese market, as we can both benefit from these opportunities. We have to boost cooperation in traditional areas such as trade and economy, industry, investments, energy, mineral production and agriculture, expand the capacity of border crossings, facilitate better services for cargo trains traveling between China and Europe and promote the construction of the Trans-Caspian International Route.»
The visa-free regime and envoys of Chinese-Kazakhstani friendship
«A mutual visa-free regime allows people from both countries to visit each other and their relatives more often. The number of such travels amounted to about 600,000 last year and to 200,000 in the first three months of this year. There is a new record ahead of us. Interregional cooperation has also kicked into high gear. For instance, there are now 26 twin cities in our countries. There are also three envoys of friendship between Kazakhstan and China: Saulebek Kabylbekov, a well-known eye physician in China; Ruslan Tulenov, whose blood is so rare that it is called ‘panda blood;’ and Dimash Qudaibergen, whose fame has been skyrocketing in China for several years.»
China’s support for Kazakhstan’s independence and sovereignty
«The Chinese people believe that you must keep any promise you’ve given to your friend. We will continue to build relations with our Kazakhstani friends based on integrity, deepen political trust and strategic coordination, and increase mutual support in matters related to each other’s vital interests and key concerns. China is a firm supporter of Kazakhstan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as we believe the country has to choose its path, implement its internal and foreign policies to thrive and oppose any external interference in its internal affairs.»
Against hegemonism and the politics of force together
«In a rapidly changing global environment, both China and Kazakhstan face unprecedented threats and challenges. However, this also opens new opportunities. Facing unprecedented and historic changes, China is ready to create new opportunities in conjunction with Kazakhstan, as times of change always open new perspectives. The two sides will continue to firmly support the international order based on the UN Charter and international law; stand for true multilateralism, oppose hegemonism, the politics of force and bloc confrontation; and promote equal and orderly multipolarity of the world and accessible and inclusive economic globalization for all.»
On the visit to Kazakhstan and the SCO summit
«I will be visiting your beautiful country for the fifth time as President of China. The colorful and unique culture of Kazakhstan, its astonishing landscapes and nice and hospitable people – all of these make me feel good about Kazakhstan. I expect a lot from the upcoming visit. I will not only enjoy the appearance and achievements of the new Kazakhstan but will also discuss with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev the current matters of our bilateral cooperation and set new priorities for Kazakhstani-Chinese relations and further development of the SCO.»
The context. Xi Jinping will be in Kazakhstan from July 2 to July 4, invited by President Tokayev. Xi will take part in the SCO summit in Astana, scheduled for July 3 to July 4. The main theme of the summit is «Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue – The Pursuit of Sustainable Peace and Development.»
The police department of Astana has already been put on high alert. Authorities also warned local residents against heading to the main streets of the city, as they may be closed to the public during the movement of summit guests. For the period of the SCO summit, the government has declared a yellow level of terrorist threat (moderate) in Astana, Almaty, Karaganda and Kokshetau. It will last from July 2 to July 5.
