President Hu Jintao yesterday vowed to promote
China-Kazakhstan strategic partnerships.
"China-Kazakhstan relationship holds an important position in
China's foreign relations," Hu said in a meeting with Kazakh
President Nursultan Nazarbayev on the eve of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
summit.
Hu hailed the sound development of China-Kazakhstan ties, citing
remarkable achievements in politics, economy and trade, energy,
security and culture.?
The strong China-Kazakhstan relations are bolstered by deep
political trust, solid legal foundation, effective cooperation of
mutual benefit, fruitful non-governmental exchanges and close
coordination on international affairs.
"China is ready to boost China-Kazakhstan ties, promote the
good-neighborly friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation and
lift the strategic partnership to a new high," Hu said.?
Hu proposed that the two sides push forward energy and gas
cooperation, and jointly work for the initial stage of constructing
the cross-border trade zone at Korgas port.?
Nazarbayev said Kazakhstan will be committed to its strategic
partnership with China, and will expand the two countries'
cooperation in trade, energy, education and other fields.?
"As Kazakhstan and China have identical stances and share
interests on fighting the three forces of terrorism, separatism and
extremism, we will step up our cooperation with China," Nazarbayev
said.?
While appreciating the support China has offered to the
Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia
(CICA), Nazarbayev said he looks forward to seeing Hu at the Second
CICA summit, which is scheduled for June 17 in Almaty,
Kazakhstan.?
After the meeting, the two presidents attended a signing
ceremony for several China-Kazakhstan cooperative documents.
Hu: We're ready to be friends
President Hu told Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov yesterday
that China is ready to be Tajikistan's good neighbor, good friend
and good partner.?
Hu hailed China-Tajikistan relations, saying that bilateral
cooperation in economy, trade, transportation, telecommunication
and business projects has yielded new results over the past year
and the two countries have maintained coordination in regional and
international affairs.?
Hu expressed his appreciation for Tajikistan's support Taiwan
issues and the fight against East Turkistan terrorist
forces.?
He said China will also support Tajikistan's efforts in
safeguarding domestic stability and boosting national
development.?
"China is ready to join hands with Tajikistan to push bilateral
ties forward. China and Tajikistan will be good neighbors, good
friends and good partners forever," Hu said.?
This year marks the 14th anniversary of China-Tajikistan
diplomatic ties.?
Rakhmonov said the relations between Tajikistan and China have
developed rapidly and the two are close neighbors, friends and
reliable partners.?
He said Tajikistan firmly abides by the one-China policy and
supports China's efforts to realize national reunification.
On the upcoming SCO summit, Hu said he believes the meeting will
enhance trust, consolidate unity and improve cooperation among SCO
members.?
RATS will grow with support
Hu yesterday vowed to strengthen support for the work of the
SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS).?
Hu made the remarks while meeting with his Uzbek counterpart,
President Islam Karimov.?
"To fight the 'three evil forces' including the East Turkistan
forces and safeguard security and stability in the region is in the
common interests of China and Uzbekistan, as well as all the other
countries there," he said.?
He said Uzbekistan, as the host of RATS, made important
contributions to the successful start of RATS and to the sound role
played by it.?
RATS, headquartered in the Uzbek capital Tashkent, was opened in
June 2004 with a mission to step up coordination between SCO member
states and other international bodies in combating the "three evil
forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism.?
Hu hailed China-Uzbek relationship, saying it features political
support, deepening cooperation and close coordination, and it
contributes to regional and peace and stability.?
The China-Uzbek treaty on friendly and cooperative partnership
signed last year has pushed bilateral relations to a new phase of
development, he said.?
"China appreciates the firm support from Uzbekistan on such
issues as Taiwan and on the strike against the East Turkistan
terrorist force. We will also support Uzbekistan along a
development road which is in line with its domestic situation," Hu
said.?
Karimov said that Uzbekistan is satisfied with the booming
cooperation with China in all fields, saying that Uzbek people have
received support and help from China on hard occasions.?
The Sixth SCO summit opens in Shanghai today. Its members are
Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Countries with observer status include India, Pakistan, Iran and
Mongolia.
(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2006)