Kazakh, Chinese Presidents Hold Talks in Astana to Expand Cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Kazakhstan to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit, where he was warmly welcomed by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace in Astana. During their talks, Tokayev praised China as a good neighbor, close friend, and reliable partner, emphasizing the unprecedented pace of Kazakh-Chinese interactions and calling the current bilateral ties a new "golden age" of cooperation. Xi Jinping highlighted the importance of multilateralism and called for expanding cooperation in trade, investment, technology, tourism, and customs, as well as enhancing law enforcement and defense exchanges to jointly combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism. The leaders also discussed infrastructure projects, including cross-border railway construction and port development. Xi is expected to deliver a keynote speech at the summit and engage with Central Asian leaders on regional cooperation and international issues. The visit marks a continuation of strong strategic partnership efforts between China and Kazakhstan, with a focus on sustainable socio-economic development and regional stability.