China's top political adviser, Jia Qinglin, met?Astana Wednesday with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and both sides called for intensified bilateral ties.

Jia, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, said during the meeting that bilateral relations have witnessed fruitful development since the two countries established diplomatic ties 18 years ago.

China and Kazakhstan have supported each other in such issues concerning their core interests as sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, Jia said.

They also have carried out close cooperation under multilateral frameworks of the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, the top adviser said.

In addition, Jia said, both sides have kept close communications and coordination on major regional and international issues.

"Deepening relationship between the two was in line with the basic interests of the people in two countries, and China will work hard with Kazakhstan for a sounder and deeper relationship," Jia said.

China and Kazakhstan bear great potential in economic development, and the two sides will further strengthen cooperation in the fields of finance, energy, transportation and tourism, Jia said.

Nazarbayev hailed the close high-level contacts and the development of ties after the two countries established a strategic partnership in 2005.

He also hailed the ever-deepening pragmatic cooperation that has benefited the two countries.

Kazakhstan values the development of its ties with China and stands ready to work together to further enhance exchanges and cooperation in such areas as trade and economy, energy, and security so as to keep promoting their strategic relationship, the president said.

Nazarbayev also vowed to intensify cooperation with China under the SCO framework.

"Since Kazakhstan is now chairing the rotating presidency of the organization, we will try all means to prepare and present a successful summit next year," he said.

On the same day, Jia also met with Nurlan Nigmatulin, first deputy chairman of People's Democratic Party "Nur Otan." Jia called for closer ties between the Communist Party of China and "Nur Otan" party under the basic principles of "independence, equality, mutual respect and non-interference in other parties' internal affairs."

Nigmatulin echoed Jia's remarks, and said he looked forward to closer contacts between the two parties to boost full development of relations between China and Kazakhstan.

Jia arrived here Tuesday for a three-day goodwill visit to Kazakhstan.