On March 15, 2004, President Hu Jintao sent a message to President Nazarbayev of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Chinese and Kazakh casualties caused by a landslide in the outskirts of Alma-Ata of the republic. The message reads as follows:

The Chinese government and people were shocked by the landslide, which hit the outskirts of Alma-Ata of the Republic of Kazakhstan and caused huge casualties, including deaths of 9 Chinese workers. The Chinese government and people are highly concerned with this incident. This is our shared misfortune. On behalf of the Chinese government and people and in my own name, I would like to extend our deep sorrow to the victims and sincere condolences to their families. I believe that under the leadership of you, Mr. President, and the Kazakh government, the Kazakh people will surely succeed in fighting this natural disaster and rebuilding their home.

Upon learning that the landslide caused Chinese casualties, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council immediately instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey his deep sorrow to the Chinese victims and demanded that the Chinese embassy in Kazakhstan and China National Petroleum Corporation should cooperate with Kazakhstan in relevant matters in the aftermath of the disaster.