Just before his departure for a state visit to Kazakhstan and attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Astana, Chinese President Hu Jintao accepted a written interview by Kazaag News Agency, taking questions on China-Kazakhstan political relations, bilateral economic and trade cooperation and the development of SCO.

When talking about the upcoming state visit to Kazakhstan, Hu said since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, China-Kazakhstan relations have witnessed comprehensive development, with frequent high-level exchanges of visit,, deepening political mutual trust and productive cooperation in economy, trade, transportation, energy and security. The two countries have rendered support for each other on important issues concerning national sovereignty and territorial integrity. They have also conducted effective cooperation on such multilateral occasions as the United Nations, the SCO and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, making great contributions to safeguarding regional stability and promoting common development. China is very delighted to see the achievements in the development of bilateral relations.

On bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, science, technology and humanities, Hu said China and Kazakhstan give top priority to the pragmatic cooperation in various fields and have created the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee at the vice premier level with 10 sub-committees on economy and trade, energy, transportation, science and technology, humanities, etc. The Committee is responsible for coordinating cooperation matters between the two countries and has played an important role in boosting bilateral cooperation. With strong complementarities, China and Kazakhstan enjoy great potential and a bright prospect for cooperation. In recent years, China-Kazakhstan economic and trade cooperation has been growing rapidly and bilateral trade volume increasing robustly. The two countries have agreed on and are implementing a number of cooperative projects in agriculture, information, energy, seismology, physics, and natural resources development. The increasing bilateral exchanges and cooperation in humanities, such as education, culture and sports, have served as a bridge of communication and friendship between the two peoples.

As for large-scale economic cooperation projects between the two countries, Hu said as an important part of bilateral friendly cooperation, energy cooperation is of strategic significance to the common development of China and Kazakhstan. Other large-scale cooperative projects which have been agreed upon between the two countries will also be launched one after another. China and Kazakhstan are making active preparations for the building of China-Kazakhstan Huoerguosi International Border Cooperation Center and will also carry out a number of technological cooperation projects including the construction of the China-Kazakhstan Science and Technology Park. The Chinese government will continue to implement the cooperative projects which comply with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and are conducive to promoting regional development and prosperity.

When talking about the development of the SCO, Hu pointed out since the establishment of the organization, remarkable progress has been scored in the cooperation in various fields. The SCO plays an important role in safeguarding regional security and stability and promoting the common development of its member states. The cooperation between the member states of the organization enjoys a bright prospect. Currently, it has become a priority of SCO's development to deepen and expand pragmatic cooperation in the fields of security and economy. First, all member states are facing the threat of terrorism, separatism and extremism. To enhance cooperation in this area helps safeguard their security as well as peace and stability in the region. Second, all member states are facing the formidable task of promoting economic and social development. As close neighbors and with abundant resources and strong complementarities, the SCO member states enjoy huge potential in economic and trade cooperation. The development of SCO over years has proven that to enhance cooperation in security and economy is in the fundamental interests of the people of member states and also conducive to the common development and prosperity of all members. As long as the SCO member states grasp the opportunity and make joint efforts, they will surely be able to turn the cooperation potential into realistic achievements in a bid to bring more benefits to their people and make greater contributions to the peace and development of the region and the world at large.