The cultural and educational facilities newly launched by China and Kazakhstan are set to enhance "soft connectivity" and promote youth exchanges between the two countries, said Irsaliyev Serik Aztaevich, president of the Astana International University.
Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev together witnessed the unveiling of two cultural centers of the two countries, and the Kazakhstan Branch of the Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, on Wednesday.
The facilities provide a chance for young people of the two countries to have a deeper understanding of each other's culture and foster closer relations, according to Serik.
"This is an opportunity for the young people of our two countries to get to know each other, learn about each other's culture, respect and understand each other. It will lay a solid foundation for the younger generation to build friendly relations. Young people are ambassadors of friendship, though not diplomatically, as they are ambassadors for promoting future friendship between our two countries," Serik said.
Kazakh President Tokayev, a sinologist who speaks fluent Chinese, studied at the BLCU for short-term training courses from 1983 to 1984, and lived and worked in China for several years thereafter.
During his trip to Beijing for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation last October, Tokayev paid a visit to his alma mater.
The BLCU and the Astana International University signed an agreement in March to establish the branch campus which will welcome its first cohort of 100 students this September.
China, Kazakhstan enhance connectivity through new cultural, educational projects
China, Kazakhstan enhance connectivity through new cultural, educational projects
