China and Kazakhstan are strategic partners and large developing states - CPPCC Chairman Jia Qinglin
and in 2005 Chairman of the People's Republic of China Hu Jintao and President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev jointly proclaimed the formation of strategic partnership between the two countries, marking the entry of our relationships into a new stage of development. Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference told about it and answered some other questions of our correspondent.
Please, tell us about the program of your visit to Kazakhstan? What issues will you discuss at the meetings with Kazakh officials?
At the invitation of Speaker of the Majilis of the Kazakhstan Parliament Ural Mukhamedzhanov I will pay this official friendly visit to Kazakhstan from 9th to 11th November, 2010. This is my first visit to your country, and indeed the first visit of CPPCC Chairman to Kazakhstan.
I am going to hold talks with Majilis Chairman Ural Mukhamedzhanov and meet with President Nursultan Nazarbayev, members of the Parliament and Government of Kazakhstan. The issues of strengthening good neighborhood relations and friendship, deepening political trust between the two states and intensification of mutually beneficial cooperation in all directions will be discussed. The issues of the international and regional agenda will also be considered.
China is satisfied with the dynamics of the Chinese-Kazakh relations. In this context my visit to Kazakhstan will promote strengthening traditional friendship and mutual support, intensify practical cooperation and development of both states. I hope that owing to our mutual efforts this visit will contribute to development of Chinese-Kazakh strategic partnership.
How do you assess the current level of bilateral relations and prospects of multilateral cooperation of the two countries?
China and Kazakhstan have always been good neighbors maintaining longstanding friendly contacts. The ancient Silk Road running through the whole Eurasian continent connected eastern and western civilizations as well as China and Kazakhstan. Official establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two states in 1992 was a new stage in the history of our relations. In 2005 Chairman Hu Jintao and President Nursultan Nazarbayev declared establishment of strategic partnership between the countries.
In recent years the Kazakh-Chinese strategic partnership is deepening in all spheres due to joint efforts of both states. The political interaction develops as well. President Hu Jintao has visited Kazakhstan six times. Kazakh President N.Nazarbayev paid 16 visits to China. Both countries support each other on the most important issues of mutual interest. In the economic field our countries have together overcome the negative impact of the world financial crisis on bilateral cooperation. We activate cooperation in trade, economic and energy spheres, non-primary sector and infrastructure construction industry. According to data of the General Administration of Customs of China, in January-September this year trade turnover between our states made USD 14.7 bln increasing by 51.8% compared to the corresponding period of the last year. The Kazakh-Chinese oil-and-gas pipelines are built and successfully function. Implementation of such major joint projects as Pavlodar Aluminum Plant, Moinakskaya Hydro-Electric Power Station and an asphalt plant is underway.
Regarding the humanitarian sphere, our Ministries of Culture regularly exchange artistic groups and hold art exhibitions. We increased the Kazakh students' quota on studying in China by 200 people per year. We also interact within the UN, the SCO and the CICA. I believe the Chinese-Kazakh relations have reached the highest point in their development benefiting our people and contributing to peace, stability and development of the region.
China and Kazakhstan are strategic partners and major developing nations. We are ready to make efforts on activating cooperation at different levels and on different directions together with Kazakhstan.
China is a multinational country. Kazakhs are one of the 56 nations living there. What can you tell about the life of Kazakhs in China?
Kazakhs live mostly in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. Since the introduction of the policy of reforms and foreign openness in the country, new progress in socio-economic development has been achieved in the regions inhabited by Chinese Kazakhs. These regions enter into a new period of equality, consolidation, mutual help, harmony, joint development and prosperity.
Ili-Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture in northern Xinjiang is the main region inhabited by Chinese Kazakhs. In 2009 the GDP of the region was up to CNY 75.4 bln increasing by 14% compared to 2008. The regional per capita GDP is CNY 16 653 that is 11.9% higher than the last year index. The biggest pastures of Xinjiang are located in the region. The job conditions of the Kazakh cattle farmers were improved as well as their income was increased.
Nine-year compulsory education system was introduced in the region. The literacy level of the local population was increased due to education development. Newspapers and magazines in Kazakh language are published in Xinjiang and countrywide.
Shanghai EXPO was a major success and attracted attention of the entire world. How do you appraise the participation of Kazakhstan at the World Expo?
Expo 2010 Shanghai China was held from May 1 to October 31, 2010 with participation of 246 countries and international organizations. Over 70 million people had visited the expo. The theme of the exposition was "Better City - Better Life". The participants demonstrated cultural, economic, scientific achievements and development concepts of their countries, which helped promote international and inter-regional economic and cultural exchange. As a result of joint efforts the Shanghai Expo became a successful, remarkable and unforgettable expo.
Kazakhstan's pavilion with the help of advanced technologies, such as a virtual image, showed the rapid development, local customs and traditions of Astana - the capital of Kazakhstan. The pavilion entitled "Astana - the heart of Eurasia" attracted a huge number of visitors and became one of the most popular pavilions at the Shanghai Expo. Participation of Kazakhstan in this event gave an opportunity to learn more about your country, to promote mutual contacts and study experience of other countries. We express our warm congratulations to Kazakhstan on a beautiful presentation at the Shanghai Expo, as well as our thanks for your support of this exhibition.
VII Asian Winter Games will be held in Kazakhstan in 2011. What do you expect from this event?
Yes, the biggest and high-level complex competitions on winter sports will be held in Kazakhstan in 2011. For the first time the Asian Winter Games are held in Central Asia and Kazakhstan is the first country to host the event. This is a big event for Kazakh people as well as for Central Asia and whole Asia. It fully reflects the respect of Asian countries to the achievements of Kazakhstan and demonstrates the desire of your people to develop foreign contacts. Being your good neighbor and reliable partner we are sincerely glad for you and sure that you country will organize the Games worthy.
At the oncoming Asian games the Chinese team will take part in competitions in all sports except for bandy, ski race and mountain skiing. We hope that Chinese sportsmen will make every effort to show good results. Kazakhstan is one of strong winter sports countries in Asia. We wish your sportsmen success in the Games and success in holding the 2011 Asian Games.
What is the level of cooperation between the CPPCC and the party fractions of the Kazakh Parliament and the People's Assembly of Kazakhstan?
The CPPCC maintains close contacts with the Kazakh Parliament especially with the Senate. For instance, in December 2004 Chairman of the Senate of the Kazakh Parliament N. Abykayev visited China at invitation of the CPPCC. I met with him during the visit and held a welcome banquet. In October 2005 a CPPCC delegation headed by Bai Lichen paid a visit to Kazakhstan at the invitation of the Kazakh Senate.
Being the organization of solidarity and unification the People's Assembly of Kazakhstan has similarities with the CPPCC. We are ready to further strengthen our contacts and exchanges with the Parliament and Assembly of People of Kazakhstan.
What measures does the CPPCC take in political life of China on development of the socialist democracy?
The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference is an organization of the Chinese national united patriotic front and important institution of multi-party cooperation and political consultations under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. Being an important organization on socialist democracy development the CPPCC implements political consultations and democratic control, takes part in the political affairs and gives advice. Specific measures are taken on the following directions:
1. Political consultations. Before making a decision and within the process of its implementation the Communist Party of China together with democratic parties, non-party figures and representatives of all nations and social communities taking part in the CPPCC hold political consultations on the main state and regional policy and key issues of political, economic, cultural and social life. The consultations are held in form of a session, including plenary sessions, permanent members meetings, presidium meetings, symposium of permanent members on specific issues, etc.
2. Democratic control. Party organizations and members of different national and social communities taking part in the CPPCC on the platform of the CPPCC supervise the performance of the Constitution, legislation and regulatory acts, activity of the governmental authorities.
3. Participation in the political affairs and making suggestions. The CPPCC selects major, complex and perspective issues for thorough and in-depth study and analysis, makes remarks and suggestions, consultations and argumentation.
Through political consultations, democratic supervision, participation in political affairs and submission of proposals the CPPCC promotes solidarity and cooperation between the Communist Party, democratic parties and non-party figures.
Thank you for the interview!