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)