Kazakhstan Institute of Strategic Studies under the President of Kazakhstan was visited by the delegation of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of the People’s Republic of China, headed by Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, a member of the Permanent Committee Hao Ping. The delegation also included representatives of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress He Huau, Xing Guangcheng, Dai Yuning and others.
Opinions were exchanged on a wide range of issues on the regional and international agenda. Thus, KazISS Director Yerkin Tukumov, opening the meeting, shared his impressions of his recent trip to Xi’an (PRC) to participate in the forum of think tanks “Central Asia – China”. He noted China’s attention to Kazakhstan and the increasing number of think tanks in the PRC studying Central Asia. “Our countries are linked by support for sovereignty and practical confidence-building steps. In 2022, China became Kazakhstan’s main trading partner: trade turnover between our countries amounted to $31 billion. China’s share in foreign trade exceeded 19%, for comparison, last year it amounted to 17%,” KazISS Director added.
Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress Hao Ping, in turn, emphasized: “This visit came on the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, which makes it particularly important to discuss the prospects of this strategy.”
The two sides noted the importance of continuing the dialogue in order to develop strategic partnership. Special attention was paid to the issues of strengthening transport interconnectivity at the bilateral and regional levels.
