China, Kazakhstan pledge to enhance parliamentary cooperation

BEIJING, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) - China and Kazakhstan on Tuesday pledged to further enhance parliamentary cooperation.

The pledge was made during the talks between China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang and Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Great Hall of the People.

Speaking highly of the close exchanges between the legislatures of the two countries, Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said the two sides should further strengthen political support to each other and promote bilateral cooperation and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Zhang said the two legislatures should strengthen coordination and cooperation in bilateral and multilateral activities, support each other's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development, support each other to choose a suitable development path and jointly fight against the "three evil forces" of separatism, extremism and terrorism to maintain regional security and stability.

Zhang called on the two sides to promote the integration of the Belt and Road Initiative and Kazakhstan's new Bright Road economic policy while further enhancing cooperation in production capacity and trade.

The two sides should conduct timely communication on policy and law and timely adjustment and improvement of relevant laws and regulations to provide institutional and legal guarantees for cooperation between the two countries, Zhang said.

He also called on the two sides to help promote exchanges on culture and between localities, universities, youth and think tanks of the two countries.

Tokayev said he is looking forward to more exchanges and cooperation with the NPC, and contributing to the friendship between the two countries.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also met with Tokayev on Tuesday.

Li said he hopes the two legislatures could further strengthen exchanges and cooperation to provide legal and institutional guarantees for development of bilateral relations.

During the meeting, Li also briefed Tokayev about China's economic situation.

Li said China has maintained stable economic growth and made positive progress in economic transformation and upgrading.

He expressed confidence in completing this year's major tasks and targets for economic and social development, which will lay a good foundation for China's economic development in the coming year.

Tokayev was invited by Zhang to visit China from Monday to Wednesday. Endi