On March 31, 2012, Vice President Xi Jinping met with Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Masimov at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi applauded the robust growth of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties 20 years ago, citing close high-level exchanges, deepening mutual political trust, rapidly growing pragmatic cooperation and dynamic cultural exchanges. Both sides have also supported each other on major issues concerning their core interests and kept close coordination and cooperation in the international arena, which effectively safeguarded the common interests of both countries and promoted regional and world stability and development, he said.

Xi said the two heads of state announced the decision to develop China- Kazakhstan comprehensive strategic partnership last year, injecting new impetus to sustained, in-depth development of bilateral ties. He noted that China has always prioritized its relations with Kazakhstan in its foreign policy. China is ready to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, he added. The two sides should take the opportunity of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations to strengthen mutual support and strategic cooperation and expand pragmatic cooperation. The two sides should give full play to the role of the Sino-Kazakh prime ministers' regular meeting mechanism, the Sino-Kazakh intergovernmental cooperation committee and other mechanisms and strengthen guidance and coordination of bilateral pragmatic cooperation. Both countries should also give full play to their complementary energy industries and boost cooperation in clean energy, new energy and infrastructure construction, Xi said. He urged both sides to enhance cooperation between their neighboring regions to push the ties to a new level.

Xi said at present, the Central Asia situation remains generally stable and its status on the international arena is rising. Central Asian nations are close neighbors of China. "China regards central Asian nations as good neighbors, friends, partners and brothers," Xi said, adding that China has always adopted the policy of good-neighborly friendship to central Asian countries and supports their efforts to explore the development paths suited to their own national conditions and their efforts to maintain stability and promote development.

Masimov said a series of meetings between President Hu Jintao and President Nazarbayev in 2011 set the direction of comprehensive strategic partnership and were of great significance. Currently, the bilateral relations are in the best period in history. He believed that this visit will further promote the development of bilateral relations. He said the Kazakh side spoke highly of the ​​brilliant achievements China has made in political, economic and social development in recent years and was willing to work together with China to promote bilateral cooperation to a new level. The Kazakh side is ready to strengthen coordination with China within the bilateral and SCO frameworks and jointly safeguard peace, stability and development in Central Asia. He reiterated that the Kazakh side firmly pursues the one-China principle and resolutely supports China's efforts to fight against the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism.