Vice President Zeng Qinghong arrived in Kazakh capital Astana on Monday for a four-day official visit and to attend, on behalf of President Hu Jintao, the inauguration ceremony of the country's newly-reelected President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

 

He was greeted at the airport by Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Akhmetzhan Esimov, Foreign Minister Kasymzhomart Kemelevich Tokayev and Chinese ambassador to Kazakhstan Zhang Xiyun.

 

In a written statement issued at the airport upon his arrival, Zeng said the establishment of the strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan last year marked a new phase in the development of the two countries' bilateral relationship.

 

Relations between China and Kazakhstan have developed stably since they established diplomatic ties 14 years ago and the two countries have expanded cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, trade, energy, security and humanities.

 

China attaches great importance to the Sino-Kazakh relationship and regards Kazakhstan as "a good neighbor, good partner and good friend," Zeng said.

 

During his visit, Zeng is scheduled to hold talks with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and also meet with Kazakh Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov, Chairman of the Kazakhstan Senate (upper house) N. Abykaev and Chairman of the Mazhlis (lower house of parliament) Ural Muhamedzanov.

 

Zeng said under the guidelines of furthering bilateral relations set out by the two heads of state, he will discuss with Kazakh leaders how to strengthen and deepen bilateral cooperation in different fields and also exchange views on regional and international issues.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2006)