Chinese, Kazakh presidents hope cooperation to revive ancient Silk Road

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomes Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Beijing during the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation on May 14, 2017. [File Photo: Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev hoped cooperation between the two countries will help rejuvenate the ancient Silk Road.

They expressed so in inscriptions in a picture album on the two countries' scenery and cooperation under China-proposed Silk Road Economic Belt and Kazakhstan's Bright Road new economic plan.

Noting this year marks the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the first Chinese Year of Tourism in Kazakhstan, Xi said the picture album showed the two countries' wonderful natural landscape and mutual friendship to the world.

The album of around 200 pictures taken by photographers from both sides was launched Tuesday in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.

As important countries along the ancient Silk Road, China and Kazakhstan have made significant contributions to cultural exchanges, Xi said.

The two have witnessed close high-level visits, strengthened political mutual trust, and comprehensive advancement in pragmatic cooperation in the last 25 years.

In 2016, the two signed a plan to synergize the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Bright Road.

Xi said the two countries have cooperated actively under the Belt and Road Initiative and this will bring new vitality to the ancient Silk Road.

Quoting a Kazakh saying which describes people at the age of 25 are as vigorous as fire, Xi called on both sides to further cooperation and make joint efforts for a brighter future.

For Nazarbayev's part, he stressed the significance of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Bright Road, saying they will regenerate the "old while great" ancient Silk Road of commercial exchange.

He said that the 2017 Chinese Year of Tourism in Kazakhstan will enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

The album, specially made to revive the Silk Road, will demonstrate the two countries' remarkable achievements, he said.

The album was co-published by the China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration's China Pictorial and Kazinform International News Agency. 

From June 7 to 10, Xi will pay a state visit to Kazakhstan, attend the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the opening ceremony of the World Expo in Astana.