China and Kazakhstan will further enhance cooperation on antiterrorism and law-enforcement, in light of successful cooperation in trade, energy, communication and security.  

Vice President Zeng Qinghong told visiting Kazak Minister of Interior Affairs Zautbek Turisbekov that the two countries witnessed growing ties and cooperation.

"We two countries closely cooperated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and contributed to regional peace and common development," Zeng told Turisbekov during the meeting in the Great Hall of the People Wednesday afternoon.

China appreciates Kazakhstan's support of China on such issues as Taiwan, Tibet, human rights and the strike of the so-called East Turkistan separatists, Zeng said.

Zeng said the international situation is changing greatly and terrorism is threatening world peace and security and the situation in Central Asia is becoming increasingly complex.

"It's in the basic interest of our two peoples to strengthen cooperation in antiterrorism and law-enforcement," he said.

Turisbekov spoke highly of Sino-Kazak relations, saying that Kazakhstan will further increase its cooperation with China, especially in striking against terrorism, separatism and extremism, cross-border crime and drug smuggling.

Before the meeting, Minister of Public Security and State Councilor Zhou Yongkang held talks with Turisbekov.

Zhou said the cooperation between the Chinese and Kazak law-enforcement departments is an important component part of relations and vowed to further beef up such cooperation.

President Hu Jintao is expected to visit Kazakhstan in July and the leaders of the two countries will institute a new blueprint for ties, Zhou said.

After the meeting and talks, the Chinese Ministry of Public Security and the Kazak Ministry of Interior Affairs signed files and promised to offer Kazakhstan some free equipment for law-enforcement.

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2005)