Xi's Kazakhstan Trip Cements Broader Cooperation

CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING PAID A STATE VISITto Kazakhstan on June 7-9. In Astana, Xi also attended the 17th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State and the opening ceremony of the Expo 2017 Astana.

In a press communique released after the summit, leaders of the SCO countries spoke highly of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held by China in Beijing on May 14-15, saying that they stand ready to jointly implement the forum's consensus. The leaders signed seven resolutions including a joint declaration, a press communique, a statement on jointly combating international terrorism and a treaty on antiextremism.

The SCO accepted India and Pakistan as full members in its first expansion since its founding in 2001, making it the world's most populous regional cooperative organization and largest by area.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Astana.

Summing up the achievements of the summit, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Huilai said the visit led to growth in support for the Belt and Road Initiative and the fruitful results of the SCO summit will help member states address threats and challenges, as well as achieve development and revitalization.

China took over the rotating chair of the SCO after the Astana summit and will host its next summit in June 2018.