Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Astana on an official visit at the invitation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. He was greeted at the capital's airport with the highest honors – with the participation of an honor guard, state symbols, and a children's delegation with flags of the two countries, Akorda reports.
The Akorda press service distributed footage of the arrival of the Chinese leader. At the steps of the plane, Xi Jinping was personally greeted by the President of Kazakhstan. A guard of honor was lined up on the runway, and young Kazakhstanis waved the flags of Kazakhstan and China as a sign of friendship between the two nations.
The visit program: from negotiations to the summit
Xi Jinping's visit will last two days. It is being held at the personal invitation of President Tokayev and includes a busy diplomatic program:
A bilateral meeting of heads of state to discuss deepening the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and China;
Participation in the Central Asia-China summit, which will be held on June 17 in Astana with the participation of leaders of the region's countries.
The main topic of the negotiations will be the further strengthening of comprehensive strategic cooperation, especially in the areas of economics, transport and investment.
Previous visit and achievements in 2024
Let us recall that Xi Jinping already visited Kazakhstan in 2024. Then his visit was also accompanied by high-level meetings and significant agreements:
Negotiations with the participation of Tokayev and Xi Jinping were held in the capital’s Akorda residence;
More than 30 bilateral agreements were signed;
Prospects for cooperation in such sectors as e-commerce, automotive industry, logistics, energy, agriculture, finance and tourism were discussed.
The Chinese leader then expressed admiration for Kazakhstan's progress and emphasized the important role of President Tokayev in building the "New Kazakhstan".
Symbolic steps towards each other
One of the key moments of the last visit was the participation of the leaders of the two countries in the ceremony of sending goods along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. In addition, at the initiative of the parties, in 2024, cultural centers of Kazakhstan in Beijing and China in Astana were opened – as a gesture of friendship and strengthening humanitarian ties.