A closer China-Kazakhstan relationship conforms to the fundamental interests of both countries, said visiting State Councilor Zhou Yongkang in Astana Thursday.  

Zhou made the remarks when meeting with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, pledging China is willing to work with Kazakhstan to boost bilateral ties and implement the China-Kazakhstan Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 2002.

He said the two neighboring countries have seen their bilateral relations developing rapidly in recent years, featuring deeper political mutual trust and significant cooperation achievements in various fields.

The cooperation within the framework of such multilateral organizations as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has also produced fruitful results, said Zhou, thanking Kazakhstan's support on the Taiwan issue.

Nazarbayev, meanwhile, said ties with China are close and developing such ties is an important task of Kazakhstan's diplomacy.

The president pledged to cooperate with China in developing good-neighborly and friendly relations, safeguarding regional stability and fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism.

Zhou also held talks with several other Kazakh leaders and signed a protocol on anti-crime cooperation.

Zhou arrived in the Kazakh capital on Wednesday after visiting Germany and Turkey.

(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2005)