Chinese president meets president of Kazakhstan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-07 20:51

BEIJING - Chinese President Hu Jintao met here on Thursday with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, who is here to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games and other activities.

Hu called Nazarbayev "an old friend of the Chinese people" and extended a warm welcome to him.

Hu recalled that he had met with Nazarbayev for quite a few times on bilateral and multilateral occasions in recent years. The Chinese president visited Kazakhstan in August last year and had a broad exchange of views on strengthening bilateral ties with President Nazarbayev, with consensus reached on a variety of issues.

"The consensus has been well implemented during the past year and our relations have improved. I am happy for that," said Hu.

In response, Nazarbayev hailed China's painstaking efforts in its preparation for the Beijing Olympic Games. He said he came to Beijing in support of the Chinese friends, and to encourage Kazakhstan athletes as well.