A meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, on May 20-21.
The meeting was preparatory to the Astana SCO Summit, which is scheduled to be held on July 3-4.
Presiding over the meeting, Murat Nurtleu, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, welcomed participants and called for a moment of silence to honour Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and others who died in the helicopter crash on May 19.
The meeting agreed to enhance cooperation in ensuring regional security and combating terrorism, extremism, separatism, drug trafficking, and cybercrime, among other areas. A special focus was placed on the organisation’s growth, with Belarus expected to complete all necessary procedures for admission to full membership at the July summit.
Addressing the ministers, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed his deep condolences to the people and leadership of Iran following the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian. He also acknowledged the participation of Iranian representatives despite their nation’s difficult time and welcomed Belarus to its first Foreign Ministers’ Council in Astana.
Amid global strategic uncertainty, Tokayev stressed the importance of an integrated approach that considers all parties’ interests and the constant search for compromises. He voiced his belief that the time has come to collectively promote the ideals and values of peaceful and harmonious development for the sake of all humanity.
Addressing the situation in Afghanistan, he stressed the need to prevent a humanitarian crisis and create conditions for long-term stabilisation. He reiterated the importance of Kazakhstan’s initiative to establish the United Nations’ Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
In his speech to the meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that SCO member countries have been important partners for China in high-level opening-up and high-quality development.
Valuing the SCO’s role, Wang said the Shanghai Spirit, which features mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilisations and pursuit of common development, has become the fundamental principle of the SCO’s continuous growth and a banner for promoting new types of international relations.
He put forward four suggestions during the meeting: to maintain strategic autonomy and strengthen unity and cooperation; to share security responsibilities and lift cooperation to higher levels; to pursue inclusive and win-win cooperation and empower joint development; and to embrace openness and inclusiveness and deepen exchanges and mutual learning.
China is willing to work with SCO partners to actively advocate for a multipolar world with equality and order and inclusive economic globalisation, and to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, he added.
In a meeting with the Kazakh President on May 20, Tokayev asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping, noting that China’s international status continues to rise and its role in the world is increasingly significant. The country is making greater contributions to global peace and stability, and the international community is paying more attention to China’s voice. He looked forward to the Chinese President’s state visit in July.
He also highly evaluated Kazakh-Chinese relations within the framework of international organisations, including the United Nations (UN), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
“Kazakhstan has been and remains a reliable partner of China. We are doing everything possible to implement the agreements that were reached earlier. We are working together and advancing our relationship into the future,” he added.
Wang responded that China would continue to firmly support Kazakhstan in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, support President Tokayev’s series of development strategies and important measures, and resolutely oppose any external forces interfering in Kazakhstan’s internal affairs.
During the country’s historical process of building a New Kazakhstan, China is willing to be a reliable and long-term partner, supporting the diversification of Kazakhstan’s economic development and promoting cooperation in emerging industries such as e-commerce, new energy and artificial intelligence.
The same day, Wang Yi met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu, with the two men jointly meeting the press following their talks.
Wang said that, as Kazakhstan recently suffered from severe floods, China is willing to continue providing as much help as possible to assist in the reconstruction work.
He further noted that both sides spoke highly of the fruitful outcomes of their cooperation. According to Chinese statistics, bilateral trade reached 41 billion US dollars last year, achieving the target set by the two heads of state seven years ahead of schedule. To date, 26 out of the 45 capacity cooperation projects have been completed, in such sectors as mining and metals, energy resources, machinery manufacturing, building materials, chemicals and infrastructure construction. Cooperation in oil and gas and in nuclear energy is also accelerating.
Both sides praised the success of the China-Central Asia Summit in Xi’an, held in May 2023, which has ushered in a new phase of enhanced cooperation between China and Central Asia.
The Chinese side is eager to work alongside the Central Asian nations to strengthen and optimise the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism, aiming to build a stable, prosperous, harmonious, and interconnected Central Asia, thereby injecting strong vitality into the building of a China-Central Asia community of shared future, Wang said.
Both sides will work to advance the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilisation Initiative, unequivocally oppose unilateralism and hegemonic behaviours, and promote the development of global governance towards a more just and reasonable direction.
Wang also met on May 20 with his counterparts from Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
Meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Wang hailed President Vladimir Putin’s first state visit to China in his new term as a complete success.
At the important juncture of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries’ heads of state jointly charted the course for the development of bilateral relations in the new era, jointly issued the heavyweight joint statement on deepening China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, and affirmed their shared commitment to strengthening China-Russia strategic coordination under the new circumstances, which demonstrated their dedication to maintaining global strategic stability as major countries.
The South China Morning Post (SCMP) further reported that Xi Jinping is expected to meet again with his Russian counterpart in Kazakhstan in July, according to Lavrov.
“Our schedule of contacts is very, very intensive. We look forward to welcoming you, Mr Minister, dear friend, at a session of the BRICS foreign ministers in Nizhny Novgorod in less than a month. Our leaders will meet during an SCO summit here in Astana in July,” Lavrov said, according to the Russian Interfax news agency, quoted by the SCMP.
While meeting with Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik, Wang said that the two countries’ heads of state have established a profound friendship as well as solid mutual trust, jointly steering China-Belarus relations into a fast lane.
In 2022, the two countries upgraded their relations to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership, placing each other in a more important position in their respective diplomatic agendas. The two heads of state met twice last year to make plans and arrangements for strategic cooperation in the new era.
Sergei Aleinik noted that cooperation between Belarus and China is an example of a new type of international relations. The countries are working together to establish and strengthen a more equitable multipolar system in the world. Together, they do not accept external pressure and illegal sanctions from the United States and the collective West, which undermine the stability and economic ties between most countries.
During his meeting with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev, Wang said that the brotherly China-Kyrgyzstan friendship is as solid as a rock and has been strengthened over time.
While meeting with Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, the Chinese foreign minister recalled that Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid a state visit to China in January.
The two heads of state made strategic plans for China-Uzbekistan relations and set a new goal of building a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future on the basis of the China-Uzbekistan all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era by supporting each other and making mutual achievements to accelerate each other’s development and revitalisation.
On May 21, Wang met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mahdi Safari, and once again expressed condolences and sympathy over the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Iran has lost outstanding leaders and China has lost good friends and partners, he said. In this difficult time, China firmly stands by Iranian friends, and believes that under the leadership of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Iranian government and people will turn their grief into strength, resolutely advance their established strategies and maintain national stability and development.
Regardless of how the situation changes, China will continue to strengthen strategic cooperation with Iran, safeguard common interests, and make endeavours for regional and world peace, he added.
Safari, for his part, thanked President Xi and Wang for expressing condolences at the earliest opportunity on the tragic deaths of Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian, and thanked China for its steadfast support for Iran.
He emphasised that Iran’s domestic and foreign policies will remain unchanged, and the country will continue to advance the process of national development under the leadership of the supreme leader.
Iran attaches great importance to its relationship with China, he said, and also thanked China for promoting reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Prior to his arrival in Kazakhstan, Wang Yi also paid a visit to Tajikistan, meeting Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in the capital Dushanbe on May 18.
Wang noted that China and Tajikistan, linked by mountains and rivers, have cultivated a profound traditional friendship. The two sides have always respected each other, and treated each other as equals, extending mutual support at critical moments.
In May last year, Rahmon attended the China-Central Asia Summit and paid a state visit to China, during which the two heads of state jointly announced the building of a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future featuring everlasting friendship, solidarity and mutual benefit. This set a clear goal for the development of bilateral relations and sent a positive signal to the two peoples and the world.
Rahmon stressed that promoting relations with China is a priority of Tajikistan’s foreign policy. The Tajik side firmly upholds the one-China principle and holds that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. Tajikistan, Rahmon added, hopes to keep close high-level exchanges with China, strengthen cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, energy, minerals, transportation, agriculture, green industry and artificial intelligence, jointly combat the “three forces” of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and constantly expand and strengthen the strategic partnership between Tajikistan and China.
Wang responded that China firmly supports the four development strategies of energy, transportation, food and industrialisation proposed by the Tajik president, attaches importance to Tajikistan’s needs, and is committed to expanding cooperation in emerging industries and helping Tajikistan to enhance its economic development.
Wang Yi also met with his Tajik counterpart Sirojiddin Muhriddin the next day. They agreed that China and Tajikistan have embarked on a path of getting along with neighbouring countries based on mutual respect, equal treatment, mutual benefit and win-win results, and have set a fine example for the development of state-to-state relations.
The two sides agreed to focus on promoting cooperation in the following aspects: First, they will continue to firmly support each other’s core interests. Second, they will continue to tap the broad potential for mutually beneficial cooperation. Third, they are ready to accelerate the two-way flow of people-to-people exchanges. Fourth, they will steadfastly safeguard regional security and stability. Fifth, they will also maintain close multilateral coordination.
Significantly, two other senior Chinese leaders visited Central Asia at the same time, meaning that China had substantive diplomatic engagements with all five Central Asian republics in the immediate aftermath of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s latest state visit to China.
Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited Kyrgyzstan, meeting with President Sadyr Japarov and Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov respectively, in the capital Bishkek on May 20, and exchanging in-depth views on China-Kyrgyzstan relations and cooperation.
He noted that China is ready to work with Kyrgyzstan to fully implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, firmly support each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests, pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, continuously deepen and expand practical cooperation, strengthen coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the China-Central Asia mechanism, and jointly build a China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future of good neighbourliness and shared prosperity.
Meanwhile, from May 17-19, Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), who is also the chairperson of the Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, visited Turkmenistan, meeting with President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in the capital Ashgabat. She also attended an international conference commemorating the 300th anniversary of the birth of Turkmen poet Magtymguly Pyragy.
Shen said that under the strategic guidance of President Xi and President Berdimuhamedov, China-Turkmenistan comprehensive strategic partnership has developed smoothly.
China is willing to work with Turkmenistan to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries, support each other in following development paths suited to their national conditions, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, enhance people-to-people connectivity, and jointly build a China-Turkmenistan community with a shared future.
The following articles were originally published by the Astana Times, the Xinhua News Agency and the Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BeLTA).
Astana Hosts SCO Foreign Ministers Council Meeting
ASTANA, May 21 (Astana Times) — Twenty-two resolutions regarding multilateral cooperation in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian sectors were signed at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states on May 21 in Astana. The meeting was chaired by Murat Nurtleu, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
Attendees included Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Secretary of the Minister of External Affairs of India Dammu Ravi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy of Iran Mahdi Safari, Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Jeenbek Kulubaev, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Mukhriddin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov, SCO Secretary General Zhang Ming, and Director of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) Executive Committee Ruslan Mirzayev attended the meeting. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Sergei Aleinik, also took part in the meeting.
Nurtleu welcomed the meeting participants and asked for a moment of silence to honor Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and other diplomats who died in the helicopter crash on May 19.
Enhancing cooperation within the SCO
During the meeting, the heads of delegations exchanged views on the international and regional situation, security, and the development of cooperation within the SCO in the political, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres.
The participants noted the organization’s effective activities aimed at ensuring regional security and stability, as well as the prosperity and well-being of its peoples. They emphasized that in today’s challenging geopolitical environment, the SCO’s authority and influence in world affairs are growing stronger.
SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming highlighted in his speech that the organization’s modernization process is enabling it to not only maintain its operations at a steady pace but also to enhance its activities in certain areas. In the face of the “three forces of evil,” he expressed confidence that the organization will continue to contribute to preserving international security and will provide member nations with all the support they need. He also spoke about the activities of the SCO Secretariat in political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian, and administrative-legal areas.
Kazakhstan as the SCO Chair
Comprehensive preparation and agenda for the Astana SCO Summit, scheduled for July 3–4, were among the primary topics covered at the meeting. The sides approved a list of topics and documents submitted for consideration for the Heads of SCO member states, including the SCO Initiative on World Unity for Just Peace and Harmony, and the draft roadmap for the development of interaction with the SCO dialogue partners.
“Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in the organization has been very meaningful and interesting. I am confident that with the support of the SCO state members, the Astana summit will be successful and will provide new impetus to the organization, becoming another important milestone in its development. For our part, we are ready to provide maximum assistance in its preparation and conduct,” Zhang said.
The sides agreed to enhance cooperation in ensuring regional security and combating terrorism, extremism, separatism, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and other areas. A special focus was placed on the organization’s growth, namely the conclusion of Belarus’s admission process to the SCO.
Kazakhstan is chairing the SCO from July 2023 to July this year. During its chairmanship, Kazakhstan has arranged more than 180 events in various fields. In light of the SCO Year of Ecology, the nation has particularly focused on environmental issues, as well as economic, investment, transportation, and humanitarian operations throughout its term.
Kazakhstan Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening SCO’s Potential
ASTANA, May 21 (Astana Times) -– Kazakhstan is making every effort to enhance the potential of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) during its chairmanship, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at a May 21 meeting with SCO Foreign Ministers, reported Akorda.
Tokayev expressed his deep condolences to the people and leadership of Iran following the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian. He also acknowledged the participation of Iranian representatives despite their nation’s difficult time and welcomed Belarus, which will soon join the SCO, to their first Foreign Ministers’ Council in Astana.
Tokayev thanked the participating countries for supporting Kazakh initiatives and for their fruitful joint work, highlighting the hosting of over 100 large-scale events, including digital, tourism, and energy forums.
He noted significant projects nearing completion, such as the Spiritual Sanctuaries project, and the declaration of 2024 as the SCO Year of Environment on Kazakhstan’s initiative. He emphasized ongoing preparations for additional events in energy, transport, and culture, and underscored the importance of the upcoming Astana SCO summit.
The President highlighted that over 20 related documents have been submitted to the Council of Heads of State for consideration, expressing confidence in their effective implementation to strengthen the comprehensive partnership within the SCO.
Amid global strategic uncertainty, Tokayev stressed the importance of an integrated approach that considers all parties’ interests and the constant search for compromises. He voiced his belief that the time has come to collectively promote the ideals and values of peaceful and harmonious development for the sake of all humanity.
“This is why Kazakhstan proposed to develop the SCO Initiative On World Unity for Just Peace and Harmony. The adoption of this document, as well as the SCO Astana Declaration during the upcoming summit, will, in our opinion, contribute to the consolidation of international efforts to resolve conflicts in various regions of the world,” he said.
The President called for further steps to reform the SCO, praising member states’ active participation in developing specific decisions to improve its activities. He outlined Kazakhstan’s balanced proposals for transforming the SCO into an effective multilateral cooperation mechanism.
Tokayev emphasized the importance of increasing the SCO’s potential to overcome common challenges and threats, with a focus on the fight against three forces of evil – terrorism, separatism, and extremism. He mentioned the Cooperation Program to combat these issues and the completion of the SCO Anti-Drug Strategy, which aims to strengthen measures to combat the drug threat and block terrorist financing channels.
The President also touched upon cybersecurity issues, placing emphasis on early identification of cyber threats and developing mechanisms to ensure the stable functioning of the SCO countries’ information infrastructure.
Addressing the situation in Afghanistan, he stressed the need to prevent a humanitarian crisis and create conditions for long-term stabilization. He reiterated the importance of Kazakhstan’s initiative to establish the United Nations’ Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
Regarding climate change, Tokayev emphasized the necessity of updating SCO approaches to combating natural disasters. He thanked the SCO countries for their solidarity and assistance during the extensive and unprecedented floods in Kazakhstan this spring, stressing the need for urgent preventive measures to avoid global natural disasters.
According to the President, the upcoming summit reflects the SCO’s main goals of ensuring regional peace, security, and stable development. He thanked the heads of foreign policy departments for their active work ahead of the summit, recalling the creation of the SCO, initially called the Shanghai Five, in April 1996.
“It was then that the so-called spirit of the SCO was established, and it is very good that we are consistently strengthening the basic principles of our interaction in the interests of peace and security in Asia, on the Eurasian continent and, one might say, throughout the world,” he concluded.
SCO countries remain China’s important partners: Chinese FM
ASTANA, May 21 (Xinhua) — Countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have been important partners for China in high-level opening-up and high-quality development, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday during a meeting of the SCO Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs here.
Valuing the SCO’s role, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the Shanghai Spirit, which features mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and pursuit of common development, has become the fundamental principle of the SCO’s continuous growth and a banner for promoting new types of international relations.
The more the world is entangled in turmoils, the more we need to uphold the Shanghai Spirit, hold on in the right direction, and make the SCO more effective in safeguarding common interests, addressing various challenges, and defending fairness and justice, he said.
Wang put forward four suggestions during the meeting: to maintain strategic autonomy and strengthen unity and cooperation; to share security responsibilities and lift cooperation to higher levels; to pursue inclusive and win-win cooperation and empower joint development; and to embrace openness and inclusiveness and deepen exchanges and mutual learning.
China is willing to work with SCO partners to actively advocate for a multipolar world with equality and order and inclusive economic globalization, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and create a better future together, Wang said.
At the meeting, the foreign ministers spoke highly of the roles and achievements of the SCO, and agreed to strengthen the fight against terrorism, separatism, and extremism so as to maintain regional peace and stability.
They also agreed that hot issues should be resolved by political and diplomatic means, while all parties should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, uphold the authority of the United Nations Charter, oppose unilateralism, and promote world multipolarity.
Preparations were mulled during the meeting for the SCO Summit to be held in July in Astana.
Before the meeting, the foreign ministers observed a moment of silence in remembrance of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who lost their lives in a recent helicopter crash.
Wang also participated in a group meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and held talks with foreign ministers of Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, respectively.
Kazakh President Tokayev meets with Chinese FM
ASTANA, May 20 (Xinhua) — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Monday met here with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Tokayev asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping, noting that China’s international status continues to rise and its role in the world is increasingly significant. The country is making greater contributions to global peace and stability, and the international community is paying more attention to China’s voice.
Kazakhstan firmly adheres to the one-China principle, a position that will never change as no country should be divided, Tokayev said, adding that Kazakhstan is a trustworthy partner for China, steadfastly supporting the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by Xi.
Tokayev said that Kazakhstan is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, enhance the strategic alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the construction of the Middle Corridor, promote greater development in bilateral economic, trade, and cultural cooperation, and engage in closer and more efficient collaboration on international issues with China.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conveyed Xi’s cordial greetings to Tokayev. He said that China and Kazakhstan — connected by mountains and rivers — are good neighbors, good friends who treat each other as equals and good partners with common goals.
China will continue to firmly support Kazakhstan in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, support President Tokayev’s series of development strategies and important measures, and resolutely oppose any external forces interfering in Kazakhstan’s internal affairs, Wang said.
China appreciates Kazakhstan’s firm adherence to the one-China principle, which is especially important given the current situation in the Taiwan Strait, he noted.
China’s development represents a growing peaceful force in the world, enhances stability and strengthens the capabilities of developing countries and emerging economies, Wang said, adding that China’s development and revitalization will bring new opportunities to other countries including Kazakhstan.
Wang noted that in 2023, the leaders of the two countries jointly established the goal of building a China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future, setting a new benchmark for the development of bilateral relations, providing new momentum and opening up new prospects.
During Kazakhstan’s historical process of building a New Kazakhstan, China is willing to be a reliable and long-term partner, supporting the diversification of Kazakhstan’s economic development and promoting cooperation in emerging industries such as e-commerce, new energy and artificial intelligence, Wang said.
China is also willing to strengthen strategic coordination with Kazakhstan within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the China-Central Asia mechanism, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, Wang noted, adding that China is glad to see Kazakhstan playing a more significant role on the international and regional stages.
Wang also held talks with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, after which they jointly met the press.
Kazakhstan, China Set to Advance Bilateral Cooperation
ASTANA, May 20 (Astana Times) -– Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi met on May 20 to address prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation, reported the Akorda press service.
During the meeting, Tokayev underscored China’s critical role in global diplomacy. According to him, Chinese initiatives shape the global agenda and significantly contribute to maintaining international peace and stability. Tokayev called China a recognized leader in many areas, including producing and exporting goods, technological innovation, economic growth, and global investment.
He also highly evaluated Kazakh-Chinese relations within the framework of international organizations, including the United Nations (UN), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
“Kazakhstan has been and remains a reliable partner of China. We are doing everything possible to implement the agreements that were reached earlier. We are working together and advancing our relationship into the future,” Tokayev said.
Wang expressed gratitude to Tokayev for the hospitality and conveyed best wishes on behalf of the President of China Xi Jinping.
During the meeting, the sides also discussed prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the trade, economic, energy, cultural and humanitarian spheres and the possibility of expanding intergovernmental contacts.
After the meeting, Tokayev extended warm greetings to Xi and expressed anticipation for Xi’s state visit to Astana in July.
Chinese, Kazakh FMs vow to enhance cooperation
ASTANA, May 20 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday jointly met the press here with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu following their talks.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the talks were fruitful, practical, and efficient, with both sides agreeing that the development of China-Kazakhstan relations conforms to the trends of the times and the broader international context, with everlasting friendship, deep mutual trust, and solidarity defining the theme of the bilateral relations.
Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, China and Kazakhstan have deepened political trust, supported each other on issues of their respective core interests, and provided strong support in times of difficulty, becoming an actual community with a shared future, Wang said.
China deeply appreciates that Kazakhstan has reaffirmed its adherence to the one-China principle, and that Kazakhstan views Taiwan as an inseparable part of China’s territory, said Wang.
As Kazakhstan recently suffered from severe floods, China is willing to continue providing as much help as possible to assist in the reconstruction work, said Wang.
He noted that both sides spoke highly of the fruitful outcomes of their cooperation. According to Chinese statistics, bilateral trade reached 41 billion U.S. dollars last year, achieving the target set by the two heads of state seven years ahead of schedule. To date, 26 out of the 45 capacity cooperation projects have been completed, in such sectors as mining and metals, energy resources, machinery manufacturing, building materials, chemicals and infrastructure construction. Cooperation in oil and gas and nuclear energy is also accelerating.
The two sides agreed to continue leveraging their industrial and market complementarities to jointly participate in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative with high quality. They will also further solidify the foundation of cooperation in traditional sectors such as trade, investment, energy, connectivity, and agriculture, and continue to create new highlights in new quality productive forces such as financial services, artificial intelligence, digital economy, new energy and other innovative fields.
China is keen to increase imports of high-quality agricultural products from Kazakhstan, he said.
The two sides decided to further strengthen cooperation on China-Europe freight trains and create more favorable conditions for this, including enhancing port clearance and cargo capacity, providing better transportation services, and refining transit policies. Both sides actively support the construction of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, which they believe is crucial for promoting connectivity across the Eurasian continent. To this end, it is necessary to advance relative infrastructure construction and strengthen coordination among the involved countries. China and Kazakhstan are discussing the construction of a third cross-border railway and will further utilize the capabilities of the Xi’an Land Port, Lianyungang Logistics Base, and Dongdamen Dry Port to explore the potential of their transit transport capacities, Wang said.
He said both parties believe that the China-Kazakhstan people-to-people and cultural cooperation is significant and promising. Currently, over 10,000 Kazakh students are studying in China, and Kazakhstan’s universities have attracted over 1,000 Chinese students to study there. Kazakhstan has established five Confucius Institutes, and China has five institutions offering Kazakh language courses. Last November, China and Kazakhstan implemented mutual visa exemptions, and this year’s “Kazakhstan Tourism Year” in China was a success. A total of 26 pairs of sister provinces and cities have been established between the two countries.
The two sides will utilize platforms such as the Luban Workshop, Confucius Institutes, and the Northwestern Polytechnical University campus in Kazakhstan to accelerate the establishment of cultural centers, encourage more sister province and city relationships, deepen exchanges in think tanks, media, arts, and continuously enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples, Wang said.
Both sides praised the success of the China-Central Asia Summit in Xi’an, which has ushered in a new phase of enhanced cooperation between China and Central Asia.
The Chinese side is eager to work alongside other Central Asian nations to strengthen and optimize the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism, aiming to build a stable, prosperous, harmonious, and interconnected Central Asia, thereby injecting strong vitality into the building of a China-Central Asia community of shared future, Wang said.
Both sides emphasized the need to steadfastly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law as the global situation is witnessing profound changes and chaos.
They will work to advance the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, unequivocally oppose unilateralism and hegemonic behaviors, and promote the development of global governance towards a more just and reasonable direction.
Wang stressed that China highly appreciates Kazakhstan’s role as the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). He expressed the belief that the foreign ministers’ meeting will be successful and lay a solid foundation for the upcoming SCO summit.
Chinese FM meets with SCO counterparts in Astana
ASTANA, May 20 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday met here with his Russian, Belarusian, Kyrgyz and Uzbek counterparts respectively on the sidelines of the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
When meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, hailed President Vladimir Putin’s first state visit to China in his new term as a complete success.
At the important juncture of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries’ heads of state jointly charted the course for the development of bilateral relations in the new era, jointly issued the heavyweight joint statement on deepening China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, and affirmed their shared commitment to strengthening China-Russia strategic coordination under the new circumstances, which demonstrated their dedication to maintaining global strategic stability as major countries, Wang said.
He stressed that by centering around the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, China is ready to work with Russia to implement a series of new important consensuses reached by the two heads of state and push China-Russia relations to a new level.
While meeting with Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik, Wang said that the two countries’ heads of state have established a profound friendship as well as solid mutual trust, jointly steering China-Belarus relations into a fast lane.
In 2022, the two countries upgraded their relations to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership, placing each other in a more important position in their respective diplomatic agendas. The two heads of state met twice last year to make plans and arrangements for strategic cooperation in the new era, he said.
China is willing to work with Belarus to implement the important consensuses reached by the two heads of state, increase political mutual support, deepen Belt and Road cooperation, continue close coordination and cooperation in international affairs, and translate the high-level political relations between the two countries into high-quality cooperation outcomes, so as to better promote the development and revitalization of the two countries, Wang said.
During his meeting with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev, Wang said that the brotherly China-Kyrgyzstan friendship is as solid as a rock and has been strengthened over time.
Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Kyrgyzstan relations have shown a momentum of rapid and all-round development, Wang said. Trade volume, especially trade in agricultural products and new energy vehicles, has grown rapidly, and a number of major projects and new projects have been launched one after another.
He said that the two sides should continue to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state.
With the building of a China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future as the goal to be achieved through high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, the two sides should deepen political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and sustain their everlasting friendship, so as to further enrich the China-Kyrgyzstan relations, he added.
While meeting with Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, the Chinese foreign minister recalled that Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid a state visit to China in January.
The two heads of state made strategic plans for China-Uzbekistan relations and set a new goal of building a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future on the basis of the China-Uzbekistan all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era by supporting each other and making mutual achievements to accelerate each other’s development and revitalization, Wang said.
He stressed that the two sides should jointly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, constantly consolidate political mutual trust, and deepen all-round cooperation to promote the high-quality development of China-Uzbekistan relations.
The foreign ministers of Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan voiced their support for the one-China principle, and expressed hope to promote bilateral relations by expanding cooperation.
Foreign ministers of Belarus, China hold talks in Astana
MINSK, 21 May (BelTA) – Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Aleinik held talks with Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, on the sidelines of the meeting of the SCO Foreign Ministers Council in Astana, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The parties discussed the bilateral relations, trade and economic cooperation, regional issues, interaction in the international arena, the Belt and Road Initiative, SCO and BRICS and the schedule of meetings at various levels and other topics.
Sergei Aleinik noted that cooperation between Belarus and China is an example of a new type of international relations. The countries are working together to establish and strengthen a more equitable multipolar system in the world. Together, they do not accept external pressure and illegal sanctions from the United States and the collective West which undermine the stability and economic ties between most countries.
The parties agreed to continue to support each other in defending the fundamental national interests in the international arena.
The Belarusian minister reaffirmed commitment to supporting the Global Civilization Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative that were put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping and that call for strengthening international dialogue and cooperation. These concepts are of great importance for solving urgent problems facing the modern world.
The parties also looked into the work of the Belarusian-Chinese Intergovernmental Committee on Cooperation, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. An understanding was reached on the need to strengthen the coordinating role of this bilateral instrument.
The Chinese side supported the deepening of cooperation between Belarus and BRICS and the work of the Belarusian side within the framework of the SCO.
Wang Yi meets with Iranian deputy FM Safari at SCO meeting on bilateral ties
ASTANA, May 21 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mahdi Safari, while attending a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) here.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, once again expressed condolences and sympathy over the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a recent helicopter crash.
The unfortunate incident has shocked the world, Wang said, adding that Iran has lost outstanding leaders and China has lost good friends and partners.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a message of condolence to Iranian leaders, Wang said.
In this difficult time, China firmly stands by Iranian friends, and believes that under the leadership of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Iranian government and people will turn their grief into strength, resolutely advance their established strategies and maintain national stability and development, Wang said.
Regardless of how the situation changes, China will continue to strengthen strategic cooperation with Iran, safeguard common interests, and make endeavors for regional and world peace, he added.
Safari, for his part, thanked President Xi and Wang for expressing condolences at the earliest opportunity on the tragic deaths of Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian, and thanked China for its steadfast support for Iran.
He emphasized that Iran’s domestic and foreign policies will remain unchanged, and the country will continue to advance the process of national development under the leadership of the supreme leader.
Iran attaches great importance to its relationship with China, and is committed to enhancing cooperation in political, economic, cultural and other fields, Safari said.
He also thanked the Chinese side for promoting reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and expressed Iran’s willingness to continue relevant processes to improve relations with countries in the region.
China, Tajikistan vow to elevate cooperation
DUSHANBE, May 18 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon here on Saturday, with both sides pledging to expand bilateral cooperation in various areas.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s cordial greetings and good wishes to Rahmon.
Wang noted that China and Tajikistan, linked by mountains and rivers, have cultivated a profound traditional friendship. The two sides have always respected each other, and treated each other as equals, extended mutual support at critical moments.
In May last year, Rahmon attended the China-Central Asia Summit and paid a state visit to China, during which the two heads of state jointly announced the building of a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future featuring everlasting friendship, solidarity and mutual benefit.
This set a clear goal for the development of bilateral relations and sent a positive signal to the two peoples and the world, said Wang.
China will continue to firmly support Tajikistan in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and firmly oppose external interference in Tajikistan’s internal affairs, said Wang, stressing that no matter how the international situation changes, China will always be Tajikistan’s trustworthy friend and partner.
For his part, Rahmon asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings to Xi.
He said that during his visit to China last year, he and Xi had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral cooperation and reached a series of consensuses.
With the joint efforts of the two sides, these consensuses are being implemented and important results have been achieved in cooperation in various fields, he said.
Rahmon stressed that promoting relations with China is a priority of Tajikistan’s foreign policy. The Tajik side firmly upholds the one-China principle and holds that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.
Tajikistan, Rahmon said, hopes to keep close high-level exchanges with China, strengthen cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, energy, minerals, transportation, agriculture, green industry and artificial intelligence, jointly combat the “three forces” of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and constantly expand and strengthen the strategic partnership between Tajikistan and China.
The Tajik president noted that China plays an important role in international and regional affairs, and Tajikistan is willing to closely coordinate with China and support each other on multilateral platforms.
Wang said that China firmly supports the four development strategies of energy, transportation, food and industrialization proposed by the Tajik president, attaches importance to Tajikistan’s cooperation needs, and is committed to expanding cooperation in emerging industries and helping Tajikistan improve economic development.
China is willing to deepen security cooperation with Tajikistan and resolutely combat all forms of terrorism, said Wang, adding that the two sides can strengthen cooperation in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the China-Central Asia mechanism, safeguard the common interests of the two countries and other developing countries, and make due contributions to the prosperity and stability of the region and the world at large.
During his visit, Wang will also hold talks with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin.
Chinese, Tajik FMs reach important consensus during talks in Dushanbe
DUSHANBE, May 19 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Sunday that he had friendly in-depth exchanges with his Tajik counterpart Sirojiddin Muhriddin and reached important consensus with the latter.
They agreed that China and Tajikistan have embarked on a path of getting along with neighboring countries based on mutual respect, equal treatment, mutual benefit and win-win results, and set a fine example for the development of state-to-state relations, noted Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
Wang said the two sides agreed to focus on promoting cooperation in the following aspects:
Firstly, the two sides will continue to firmly support each other’s core interests. China reiterates its firm support for Tajikistan in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, and opposes any external forces interfering in the internal affairs of the two countries and undermining their friendship, he said. Tajikistan staunchly supports China’s position on the Taiwan question and firmly adheres to the one-China principle.
Secondly, the two sides will continue to tap the broad potential for mutually beneficial cooperation. The two sides are willing to explore new measures to further increase the scale of trade and expand agricultural cooperation, and speed up major connectivity projects between the two countries such as the construction of key sections of the China-Tajikistan highway, he said, adding that China will actively consider importing more high-quality Tajik agricultural products.
Thirdly, the two sides are ready to accelerate the two-way flow of people-to-people exchanges. China proposes to establish a streamlined personnel exchange platform with Tajikistan, including the issuance of 10-year multiple-entry visas for short-term visitors, such as those for business and family visits, to further facilitate personnel exchanges.
Fourthly, the two sides will steadfastly safeguard regional security and stability. China and Tajikistan will enhance exchanges and consultations on counter-intervention, and collectively guard against “color revolution,” Wang said, adding that China supports the establishment of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) anti-drug center in Dushanbe.
Fifthly, the two countries will also maintain close multilateral coordination. Noting the two sides should bolster coordination within multilateral frameworks including the United Nations and the SCO, Wang said China supports Tajikistan in playing a more prominent role on the international stage.
China, Kyrgyzstan to pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation
BISHKEK, May 20 (Xinhua) — China and Kyrgyzstan will pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and strengthen cooperation within multilateral frameworks, said visiting Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong.
Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov respectively and exchanged in-depth views on China-Kyrgyzstan relations and cooperation in various fields.
Under the personal care and direct promotion of the two heads of state, China-Kyrgyzstan cooperation in various fields has advanced in an all-round way and bilateral relations have achieved leapfrog development, said Liu, who is on a visit to Kyrgyzstan from Friday to Monday.
He noted that China is ready to work with Kyrgyzstan to fully implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, firmly support each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests, pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, continuously deepen and expand practical cooperation, strengthen coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the China-Central Asia mechanism, and jointly build a China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future of good neighborliness and shared prosperity.
President Sadyr Japarov and Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov spoke highly of the achievements in the development of Kyrgyz-China relations.
They reiterated Kyrgyzstan’s firm support for China on major issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Xizang and Hong Kong, as well as for building a community with a shared future for mankind, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.
Kyrgyzstan is willing to work with China to advance Belt and Road cooperation, strengthen cooperation in connectivity, trade and investment, cultural tourism and other fields, so as to promote common development and improve people’s well-being, they said.
During his stay, Liu also visited the Confucius Institute at Bishkek State University, Altynken mining project and the renovation projects of the municipal road network in Bishkek.
China, Turkmenistan to deepen cooperation in various fields
ASHGABAT, May 20 (Xinhua) — Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov during a goodwill visit to the country from Friday to Sunday.
Shen, also chairperson of the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, also held meetings with Ogulgerek Berdimuhamedova, wife of the chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan, and Deputy Prime Minister Mahrijemal Mammedova.
During the visit, she held talks with Chairperson of the Parliament of Turkmenistan Dunyagozel Gulmanova and attended an international conference commemorating the 300th anniversary of Turkmen poet Magtymguly Pyragy’s birth.
Shen said that under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Berdimuhamedov, China-Turkmenistan comprehensive strategic partnership has developed smoothly.
China is willing to work with Turkmenistan to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries, support each other in following development paths suited to their national conditions, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, enhance people-to-people connectivity, and jointly build a China-Turkmenistan community with a shared future, she said.
The Turkmen side highly praised bilateral relations, reaffirming its willingness to deepen cooperation with China in areas such as politics, economy and trade, energy, transportation and culture, and to promote the China-Central Asia mechanism for common development. The Turkmen parliament reiterated its willingness to engage in exchanges and mutual visits with the CPPCC.
