Sino-Kazakh partnership becomes permanent

China and Kazakhstan agreed on Wednesday to develop a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, a diplomatic relationship that never appeared in China's definition of bilateral ties before.

The decision came as President Xi Jinping held talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The Kazakh leader, who speaks fluent Chinese, is making his first state visit to China from Tuesday to Thursday.