Xi to meet with Nazarbayev and attend SCO summit in Kazakhstan: FM

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

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to begin a state visit to Kazakhstan on Wednesday. The Chinese foreign ministry says beyond meeting with his Kazakh counterpart, Xi Jinping will also attend a leaders' summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Assistant Foreign Minister Li Huilai, in laying out the Chinese President's itinerary, said Xi Jinping's trip is at the invitation of Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Wednesday will mark Xi Jinping's third visit to the central Asian country and the 16th meeting between the two leaders.

"During the visit, President Xi will attend a number of activities hosted by President Nazarbayev, including a welcoming ceremony, small and large-scale talks, signing ceremonies for bilateral agreements, as well as a joint news conference and a welcoming banquet," said Li. 

The Assistant Foreign Minister said the trip is going to help bolster bilateral cooperation, especially within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

"The two heads of state will exchange views on bilateral relations, the synergy of the respective development strategies, joint construction through the Belt and Road program, mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas and other international and regional issues of common interest. The two presidents will jointly sign and issue a China-Kazakhstan Joint Statement," said Li. 

Li Huilai said the two sides are expected to sign various agreements in such areas as economics and trade, finance and water conservancy.

While in Kazakhstan, Xi Jinping will also attend the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO.

"The main subjects of discussion at the summit will be first, to study in-depth the current situation, tasks and prospects of the SCO, and second, to exchange views fully on major international and regional issues," said Li. 

The meeting in Kazakhstan is going to make India and Pakistan official SCO members.

"China will brief the summit participants on the work plans on a new round of development of the organization after China takes over the rotating presidency after the summit. President Xi Jinping and other heads of state will sign and issue Astana Statement and a news communique and sign the SCO anti-extremism convention and the resolutions on giving India and Pakistan SCO membership status," said Li. 

The SCO was formed in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Defined originally as a mutual defense grouping, the SCO has since grown to include cooperation in other areas, including economics and culture.

As part of his time in Kazakhstan, Xi Jinping is expected to attend the opening ceremony of the 2017 World Expo in Astana.