Governor Zhao Long met with Arman Shakkaliyev, Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, in Fuzhou on April 1. Vice Governor Zhao Zenglian attended the meeting.

Zhao welcomed the delegation on behalf of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee and the Provincial Government, and briefed on Fujian’s high-quality economic and social development. He noted that President Xi Jinping has met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on multiple occasions, elevating the China-Kazakhstan relationship from a comprehensive strategic partnership to a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, and charting the course for consolidating and expanding all-around cooperation. Zhao highlighted that under the strategic guidance of the two presidents, recent years have seen closer exchanges and cooperation across the board between Fujian and Kazakhstan. He said that Fujian stands ready to work with the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan to act on the important common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries. The governor proposed boosting cooperation in trade, investment, mining, agriculture, and new energy, supporting enterprises in tapping into global markets, and contributing more to high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the building of a China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future.

Shakkaliyev stated that Fujian’s openness and economic vitality offer broad scope for cooperation. He looked forward to expanding all-around cooperation with Fujian under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, with more projects brought to fruition. He warmly welcomed investment from Fujian businesses into Kazakhstan to drive mutually beneficial cooperation.