Almaty, March 28th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with Meyirzhan Otynshiev, Chairman of the Maslikhat of Almaty. 

Liu said, President Xi Jinping and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev have established China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, with sub-national cooperation serving as an important part. As the economic, financial, cultural and transportation center of Kazakhstan, Almaty plays an important role in the economic and social development of Kazakhstan. The city has long been at the forefront of cooperation with China and conducted close and fruitful cooperation with many provinces and cities of China. It is hoped that the two sides will take the important consensus of the two heads of state as the guidance, strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, scientific and technological innovation, urban governance, cultural tourism and other fields, promote sub-national cooperation between the two countries for solid and in-depth growth, further strengthen the public opinion foundation for the development of bilateral relations, and help enrich the connotation of China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership. 

Otynshiev said, in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, rapid and in-depth development results have been achieved in the relations between Kazakhstan and China. Almaty has maintained close cooperation with China for a long time, and has achieved fruitful results in trade and other practical cooperation in particular. Since the beginning of last year, delegations of the Maslikhat of Almaty and government delegations have visited China successively and carried out cooperation with China in trade, investment, digital technology, scientific and technological innovation, and other fields. The Maslikhat of Almaty hopes to continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China, learn from China's experience in local development and urban construction, and continuously improve people's well-being.