Chinese Premier calls for expanding China-Kazakhstan cooperation

China and Kazakhstan should use their complementary economies to encourage bilateral cooperation, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Thursday.

In a meeting with visiting Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Wen said cooperation should be improved in fields such as energy, trade, and infrastructure construction.

China and Kazakhstan shared comprehensive common interests and prospects for the development of bilateral relations, Wen said, noting that establishment of the China-Kazakhstan strategic partnership offered a solid foundation for the long-term growth of the bilateral ties.

"We should work closely to strengthen energy cooperation, increase the proportion of high-tech products in two-way trade and encourage the Chinese and Kazakh enterprises to step up mutual investment in infrastructure fields such as railways, highways and power stations," Wen said.

Nazarbayev expressed his satisfaction with the growth momentum of the bilateral relations.

The sustainable growth of the Chinese economy offered opportunities for the two countries to promote mutually beneficial cooperation, Nazarbayev said.

Nazarbayev's visit, the first since he won re-election last December, is at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Source: Xinhua