The high-level exchange between Kazakhstan and China is encouraging and the visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to usher in a new stage of bilateral cooperation, said Aida Balayeva, Kazakhstan's Minister of Culture and Information, on Tuesday.
"This year, a Kazakhstan cultural center will be established in Beijing, while a China cultural center in Astana. This will push one step further the bilateral exchange between the two countries and advance the mutual understanding between our peoples," said Balayeva.
Kazakhstani people, along with the employees of local Chinese companies, gathered voluntarily to welcome President Xi, as he traveled from the airport to his hotel after arriving in the Kazakh capital Astana on Tuesday.
"Knowing that President Xi will visit Kazakhstan, my family decided to come here," said Nur Khali, a resident.
China and Kazakhstan on Wednesday launched new cultural and educational projects which are expected to further boost bilateral ties, according to scholars and officials from the two countries.
Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev together witnessed the unveiling of two cultural centers between the two countries, and the Kazakhstan Branch of Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) in Astana.
Xi is on a state visit to Kazakhstan, where he is also attending the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization which kicked off on Thursday.
Kazakhstani minister expects Xi's visit to start new stage of bilateral cooperation
Infrastructure is at the heart of economic ties between China and its neighbor to the west, Tajikistan, as the in-depth and close cooperation between the two countries plays an important part in improving the livelihoods of Tajik people.
The Tajik capital of Dushanbe is no stranger to monuments. The city boasts the world's second tallest flag pole and the statue of Ismoil Somoni, the 10th-century ruler whom the country's currency is named after.
The latest addition to the list of impressive buildings in Dushanbe is the Independence and Freedom Monument.
Opened in 2022, it was built by Xinjiang Construction and Engineering Corporation, a subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corporation.
Gulomov Marufjon, a local Tajik who has been working for China State Construction for half a decade, told China Global Television Network (CGTN) that a total of five projects has been delivered by his company in Tajikistan since the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed, the famous Independence and Freedom Monument included.
"In terms of infrastructure, the cooperation between the two countries has seen new developments every year since the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed. Our company has built and delivered five important projects -- the National Library, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, two highways, and this Independence and Freedom Monument," said Gulomov, assistant to general manager of the Tajik branch of Xinjiang Construction and Engineering Corporation.
The tower's height of 91 meters symbolizes the year of the country's independence, namely 1991. While commemorating the Central Asian country charting its own path, it is one that is increasingly integrated with its neighbor to the east, China.
"More than 530 Chinese companies are operating in Tajikistan, encompassing industries such as construction, agriculture, industry, transportation, and maintenance. These companies have created numerous job opportunities for people and contributed to the development of the economy and bilateral relations," said Gulomov.
This monument to Tajik's modern history is also seen as a symbol of the country’s growing relationship with China.
Ties in building infrastructure praised for improving Tajik livelihoods
