Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that China is ready to work resolutely with Kazakhstan to strengthen the friendship between the two countries and make greater contributions to regional and global peace and development through the stability and positive energy of bilateral ties. Xi, who is in the Central Asian country for the second China-Central Asia Summit, made the remarks during a meeting with Kazakh President Kasym-Zomart Tokayev in Astana.

Xi said China-Kazakhstan relations have stood the test of international vicissitudes and have always maintained a high level of development. He added that this can be attributed to the geographical proximity and long-standing friendship between the two nations, as well as the two countries' common choice to pursue common development.

In recent years, thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, the Sino-Kazakh community with a shared future has become more substantial and enriched, the Chinese president said, adding that tangible and people-oriented results continue to emerge, greatly enhancing the sense of gain for both nations.

Xi Jinping noted that both China and Kazakhstan are at key stages of their national development and rejuvenation, and said the two countries should work hand in hand to develop all-round cooperation.

China and Kazakhstan should continue to support each other on issues related to core interests and major problems and promote synergy in development strategies, Xi Jinping said, while urging the two countries to promote connectivity, high-tech cooperation and green development.

Xi Jinping also called on China and Kazakhstan to expand law enforcement and defence exchanges and to jointly fight terrorism, separatism and extremism.

In view of the diverse people-to-people exchanges that help strengthen the foundation of Sino-Kazakh friendship, Xi Jinping urged the two countries to successfully hold the Kazakh "Year of Tourism" and promote greater exchanges between youth, media, think tanks and local governments.

Speaking about the turbulent and interconnected international landscape, the Chinese president said China and Kazakhstan should firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and an international order based on international law, practice genuine multilateralism and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

Xi Jinping also called on China and Kazakhstan to expand law enforcement and defence exchanges and to jointly fight terrorism, separatism and extremism.

Citing that diverse people-to-people exchanges help strengthen the foundation of Sino-Kazakh friendship, Xi Jinping urged the two countries to successfully hold the Kazakh "Year of Tourism in China" and promote greater exchanges between youth, media, think tanks and local governments.

Speaking about the turbulent and interconnected international landscape, the Chinese president said China and Kazakhstan should firmly adhere to the international system with the United Nations at its core and an international order based on international law, practice genuine multilateralism and protect the common interests of developing countries.

Xi Jinping also praised Kazakhstan for its extensive preparations for the second China-Central Asia Summit and expressed confidence that this meeting will open a new chapter in China-Central Asia cooperation.

The Chinese President added that as the rotating chairman of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), China is ready to work with all member states to seize the opportunity of this year's Tianjin Summit to strengthen and enhance the SCO, achieving new development, breakthroughs and vitality.

Tokayev said that China is a friendly neighbour, a close friend and a reliable partner of Kazakhstan.

The enduring comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has entered a new golden era, promoting sustainable economic and social development of both nations and benefiting both people, making it an example for inter-state relations, Tokayev added.

Kazakhstan and China share a strong political will to deepen cooperation and have always firmly supported each other on issues related to sovereignty, security and core interests that are not affected by international changes, he noted.

Tokayev expressed confidence that China will continue to make even greater development achievements and said Kazakhstan is willing to work with China to deepen mutual strategic trust and comprehensive, mutually beneficial cooperation, taking bilateral relations to a new level.

Tokayev also praised and fully supported China's commitment to international justice and equality. He expressed Kazakhstan's readiness to maintain close cooperation and mutual support with China within multilateral frameworks, including the UN, the SCO, BRICS, the China-Central Asia Mechanism and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, thereby jointly promoting the development of a more just and equitable international order.

Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly exchanged more than a dozen bilateral cooperation documents covering areas such as trade, investment, science and technology, customs, tourism and media.

CMG