A BOOK DEDICATED TO THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN KAZAKHSTAN AND CHINA WAS PRESENTED AT THE KAZNU

Presentation of the book dedicated to the 30^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and China "Kazakhstan-China: Three Decades of Good-Neighborly and Mutually Beneficial Cooperation" was held at the scientific library of Al-Farabi at KazNU.

The anniversary edition is an analytical review of bilateral relations for the period of 1992-2022. The book is based on archival data of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Library of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the newspaper "Kazakhstanskaya Pravda", unique reference information and a list of all agreements signed over 30 years.

The event was organized by Al-Farabi Kazakh National University together with the Center for the Study of China. The presentation was attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the People's Republic of China Shakhrat Nuryshev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Kazakhstan Zhang Xiao, representatives of the Library of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and China, analytical centers, as well as the teaching staff of Kazakhstani universities.

The event was opened by Member of the Management Board – Vice-Rector for Operations Assel Uvalieva. Congratulating the participants of the event on a significant event, she said: "Chinese studies is intensively developing in Kazakhstan, and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University plays a special role in training a new generation of Sinologists. The Department of Chinese Studies of the Faculty of Oriental Studies of our University trains specialists of three degrees: bachelors, undergraduates and doctoral students (PhD). The university has a Center for the Study of Modern China, and the Confucius Institute is also active. Modern diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and China, trade and economic ties, as well as many other topical issues require extensive research from a scientific and theoretical point of view."

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the People's Republic of China Shakhrat Nuryshev also spoke at the event. "This book contains a previously unpublished list of documents signed by both sides, as well as the texts of key strategic documents. The history of mutual visits at the level of heads of state over the past 30 years is exciting for the public and researchers of bilateral relations. China is one of the largest trading partners of our country. In 2021 the trade turnover reached 18.2 billion US dollars. According to statistics, for 8 months of this year, this indicator increased by 26% , which is to 15.4 billion US dollars. Thus, there is a high probability that by the end of the year the bilateral trade turnover will reach a new high level," the speaker stated.

In his speech, the head of the Chinese diplomatic mission in Kazakhstan, Zhang Xiao highly appreciated the work of the authors of the unique publication. "The book shows the reader a panorama of the main events, it captures the details of communication between the leaders of our countries. The publication contains in-depth analysis, authoritative assessments, exhaustive archival data and exclusive photographs. The anniversary of the relationship between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the People's Republic of China is a great reason to look back at the path traveled, draw some conclusions and outline plans for the future. In February President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held the first face-to-face meeting after the pandemic with General Secretary of PRC Xi Jinping in the opening of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. Moreover, the Chinese leader made a state visit to Kazakhstan. This is his first foreign tour after a two-year pause. These events have become bright pages in the year of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and China," the Ambassador stressed.

Timur Shaimergenov, who is one of the authors of the conducted research, also spoke at the presentation: "The presented anniversary edition itself is a reflection of the mutually beneficial cooperation of our states for 30 years. The book was born as a result of close and creative cooperation between the Embassy of Kazakhstan in China and the Embassy of China in Kazakhstan with the assistance of the Kazakhstan Center for the Study of China."

At the end, a ceremony to transfer copies of the publication to the following organizations: the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University was held, the representative office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Almaty and the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Almaty.

Press Service of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University