Premier calls for closer relations, cooperation with Kazakhstan

China would like to continue to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields with Kazakhstan and promote alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative with Kazakhstan's "Bright Road" plan, Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday.

He made the comment in a meeting with visiting Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Beijing, who is paying China a state visit and will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Qingdao Summit.

Li said the traditional friendship between the two neighbors has been consolidated while deepening pragmatic cooperation.

Li said the two countries have made enormous achievements in their cooperation, especially in production capacity. He called for more cooperation in fields such as infrastructure, energy and resources, as well as expansion in agricultural goods trading and finance. Facilitation in trade, investment and personnel exchanges should also be strengthened to promote industrial upgrading for both countries, he said. Li also called to boost cooperation under the framework of the SCO and promote people's well-being.

Nazarbayev said Kazakhstan attaches great importance to ties with China and cooperation between the two countries has resulted in prolific achievements. As a vital partner for the Belt and Road Initiative, Kazakhstan would like to boost strategy alignment and pragmatic cooperation in investment, innovation, agriculture, energy and finance, he said.