(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-04-11 16:57

SANYA, Hainan - President Hu Jintao said Friday the Chinese government values the strategic partnership with Kazakhstan, and will expand bilateral cooperation in various fields and strengthen coordination in international affairs, so as to upgrade their strategic partnership to a new high.

China and Kazakhstan have enjoyed a fast and sound growth of bilateral relations in recent years, Hu told visiting Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Masimov here ahead of the annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia.

The two countries have maintained frequent high-level exchange of visits, fruitful cooperation in various fields and firm mutual support for each other on major issues, Hu said.

The two countries should grasp the opportunities, treat each other with sincerity, carry out the settled cooperation projects and explore new ways to expand such cooperation, the Chinese president said.

Masimov said the China-Kazakhstan relations have maintained a good development in recent years. Kazakhstan will work with China to increase cooperation in various fields, especially in investment, finance, energy, agriculture and infrastructure construction, and promote a common development of the two countries.

President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev will attend the Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony as planned, said Masimov in Sanya, a scenic city in south China's Hainan Province.

Kazakhstan believes the Games will achieve success, and the Chinese government and people can overcome any difficulties, and Kazakhstan will endeavor to cooperate with China for the success of the Games, Masimov said.

Hu thanked the Kazakhs for their work to ensure the smooth tour of the Games torch in Kazakhstan, especially the participation of President Nazarbayev in the relay. Hu hopes China and Kazakhstan can continue cooperation and work for the success of the Games.

The Olympic flame was lit in Olympia, Greece, on March 24 and is being relayed through 21 foreign cities and then across the Chinese mainland before being carried into the opening ceremony on August 8. Nazarbayev, as the first torch bearer, started up a 20-km relay in Almaty, the first stopover of the torch's global tour.

Masimov also reiterated that Kazakhstan will adhere to the one-China policy, and continue to work with China in fighting the "three evil forces" of terrorists, separatists and extremists.

Masimov also expressed his willingness to enhance cooperation between Kazakhstan and Hainan Province.

Hu said Hainan and Kazakhstan share broad prospects on cooperation in such areas as tourism, trade and agricultural products processing. China welcomes Kazakh companies to invest in Hainan.

Masimov is paying an official visit to China at the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao. During his stay in Beijing, Wen has held talks with him. Top legislator Wu Bangguo met with him.