Chi, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China and a state councilor, expressed his belief that there will be a bright future for the good neighborly and cooperative ties between China and Kazakhstan.

He said that President Jiang Zemin and President Nazarbayev have exchanged views on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues, reached a broad consensus, and signed the China-Kazakhstan Good-Neighborly and Friendly Treaty of Cooperation, which sets a solid legal foundation for future development of bilateral friendly cooperative relations.

Regarding military ties, Chi said with the joint efforts of both sides, the friendly relations between the two defense ministries and the two armed forces have seen sound and stable development in recent years.

The Chinese side always attaches great importance to and takes a positive attitude towards expanding exchanges and cooperation with the Kazakh armed forces, said Chi, who hoped the two armed forces would implement the consensus reached between the two presidents for the China-Kazakhstan good-neighborly and friendly ties.

Altynbayev said the series of documents signed between Kazakhstan and China Monday will not only set a solid foundation for bilateral relations, but also help boost the prosperity of the two countries.

The Kazakh side will firmly abide by the one-China policy and never have official contact with the Taiwan authorities, he said, adding that the Kazakh side is willing to join the Chinese side to deepen and push forward their relations to a higher level.

The two defense ministers also exchanged views on strengthening anti-terrorism cooperation and developing the friendly bilateral military ties within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2002)