According to the Embassy of Kazakhstan in China, Kazakhstan's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to China Shahrat Nureshev published a signed article on the 27th, "Kazakhstan's Domestic and Foreign Policies Open Up New Opportunities for Expanding Cooperation with China." The full text is as follows:
Picture source Embassy of Kazakhstan in China
2022 is a difficult year. The world today is experiencing an unprecedented crisis of trust among major powers. This political crisis has led to a global food and energy crisis , which has the characteristics of an economic recession.
Geopolitical tensions and economic instability also have a negative impact on Kazakhstan. Unfortunately, in January this year, a peaceful rally held to protest rising gas prices was used to stage an attempted coup using armed violence.
Kazakhstan has passed this test with honor, and at the end of this turbulent year, we can confidently say that in addition to showing resilience and stability, the country's leadership has taken a firm approach to political and socio-economic reforms.
htmlAfter the referendum in June, constitutional reforms were carried out to introduce new democratic values in the country's governance, including transferring part of the presidential power to other branches of government, forming a more influential parliament, an independent constitutional court, the creation of new political parties, direct elections of governors and other important measures.
htmlThe presidential election held in Kazakhstan in November became an important milestone in the development of democracy in our country. According to the new constitution, all future heads of state, including current President Tokayev , will serve seven-year terms and cannot be re-elected.
Kazakhstan will hold parliamentary elections in 2023. In the run-up to the elections, new political parties have emerged, which will further enhance political competition and diversity. For the first time in 18 years, independent candidates will also be able to run in single constituencies.
Over the past year, we have made every effort to build a just Kazakhstan - a prosperous society and a more dynamic and competitive political system.
While changing our domestic political system, we have not forgotten our international obligations. Kazakhstan remains committed to developing relations with all countries and partners. As President Tokayev said at the recent presidential inauguration: "Kazakhstan will continue to pursue a balanced and constructive foreign policy aimed at protecting national interests. The focus will be on issues of mutually beneficial cooperation and strategic partnerships with neighboring countries: including Russia, China, brotherly countries in Central Asia, and partners in integration organizations. We will do our best to develop Multifaceted cooperation with the United States, the European Union, Asia, the Middle East and the Caucasus, as well as all relevant countries, "
We believe that our multifaceted foreign policy will help resolve many global crises and expand international cooperation.
In September this year, the Seventh Conference of World and Traditional Religious Leaders was held in Astana . More than 100 delegations from 50 countries attended the conference, including representatives of Chinese Buddhism and Taoism .
In October this year, the sixth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia ( Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia) was held in our capital. The Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia was established 30 years ago to strengthen peace, security and stability in Asia. Wang Qishan, Vice President of the People's Republic of China, attended the summit on behalf of China, which shows that China attaches great importance to the development and transformation of CICA.
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Kazakhstan in September this year was of epoch-making significance in strengthening bilateral relations. The choice of Kazakhstan as the first country to visit after the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the particularity of the Kazakhstan-China permanent comprehensive strategic partnership and support for the reforms being carried out by President Tokayev.
The domestic and foreign policies adopted by Kazakhstan have opened up new opportunities for expanding cooperation with China. Mutual trade between the two countries has grown actively this year.According to data from Kazakhstan Customs, the trade volume between Kazakhstan and China increased by 32.8% in the first 10 months of 2022, reaching US$19.7 billion. During the same period, rail transport volume between Kazakhstan and China almost reached last year's level, reaching 19.3 million tons.
China is still the top five investor with the largest direct investment in Kazakhstan. In the first six months of 2022, Chinese investment in Kazakhstan increased by 20% to $611.1 million. The launch of a natural gas chemical complex for the production of polypropylene in Atyrau Oblast has become the largest investment project in which China has participated this year.
As the world grapples with issues related to current geopolitical and economic difficulties, the importance of further strengthening the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and China for stable and sustainable regional development has become increasingly important.
Looking ahead to next year, we are determined to strengthen our relationship with China. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the highest levels of our two countries have agreed to actively engage in dialogue in various fields to usher in a "new golden 30th anniversary" of bilateral cooperation.
To this end, we not only attach great importance to efficient preparations for bilateral contacts next year, but also pay special attention to preparations for multilateral forms such as the "Belt and Road" Forum, the "Central Asia-China" model, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization , and the Boao Forum for Asia. Given our shared desire for a strong relationship, we have every reason to believe that together we will achieve our goals for the benefit of our two peoples.
Source: Weibo @ Embassy of Kazakhstan in China
