Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the afternoon of July 16 at the Xijiao Guesthouse in Shanghai. Tokayev was in China to attend the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance.
Xi noted that China-Kazakhstan relations have withstood tests and grown stronger, with the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership maintaining high-level operation. He mentioned that China had just celebrated the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, and attributed the Party's success to qualities such as pursuing truth and being rooted in the people. With Kazakhstan advancing comprehensive reforms, both sides should strengthen the alignment of development strategies, enhance practical cooperation, and achieve new results in strategic coordination.
Xi stressed that advancing comprehensive cooperation serves the fundamental interests of both countries. Cooperation areas include: promoting innovative trade development, optimizing structure, and fostering new forms such as cross-border e-commerce and trade in services; expanding energy and mining cooperation and accelerating the implementation of key projects; advancing connectivity by increasing direct flights and improving the facilitation of international road transport; cultivating new quality productive forces, with China willing to share technologies in digital economy and AI to support Kazakhstan's digital transformation; and organizing the "China-Kazakhstan Year of Cultural Exchange" and strengthening cooperation in education, science and technology, healthcare, sports, and media to solidify the foundation of lasting friendship. He also expressed willingness to jointly implement the four global initiatives and strengthen coordination in multilateral mechanisms to uphold international fairness and justice.
Tokayev congratulated the CPC on its 105th anniversary and China's development achievements. He stated that Kazakhstan views its relationship with China as a top diplomatic priority and is committed to strengthening the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership. Kazakhstan fully agrees with Xi's views on developing bilateral ties and looks forward to close high-level exchanges and enhanced practical cooperation in trade, investment, transport, energy, agriculture, and digital economy, as well as promoting cultural exchanges. Kazakhstan highly appreciates and supports the four global initiatives and the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, and is willing to maintain high-level collaboration on multilateral platforms, engage in AI global governance cooperation, and jointly promote global sustainable development, peace, and stability.
After the meeting, the two heads of state witnessed the signing and announcement of multiple cooperation documents in areas such as economy and trade, transport, finance, and media. Chinese attendees included Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi, and Chen Jining.