6. How do you evaluate the current relationship between China and Kazakhstan, and what are your expectations of its future? What could the two countries do to meet the bilateral trade target of US$40 billion by 2015, and how will they engage in cooperation in non-resources sectors? China and Kazakhstan are comprehensive strategic partners. What are your views and suggestions for bilateral cooperation on international and regional issues?

China and Kazakhstan are friendly neighbors and comprehensive strategic partners. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 21 years ago, bilateral relations have maintained sound, rapid and steady development. Both sides view the relationship with the other as a foreign policy priority. It is fair to say that the relationship is now at its best in history and the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries faces unprecedented opportunities for further growth.

Continuous expansion and deepening of China-Kazakhstan practical cooperation is essential to strengthening the material foundation of the comprehensive strategic partnership. Recent years have seen robust growth in bilateral economic cooperation and trade. China is now the largest trading partner of Kazakhstan, and Kazakhstan is China' s second largest trading partner in the CIS region. To further elevate bilateral practical cooperation, the two countries have set the strategic target of raising two-way trade to US$40 billion by 2015.

Admittedly, to achieve these goals requires efforts from both sides. The two countries need to continue to act in the principle of mutual benefit and, while maintaining their sound cooperation in oil and gas, fully tap the cooperation potential in agriculture, transport, hi-tech, telecommunications, chemical engineering and other non-resources areas. At the same time, exchanges and cooperation may be increased between the people and localities of the two countries to put in place a cooperation structure with clear priorities and simultaneous growth across the board. I am confident that with concerted efforts of the two sides, the all-dimensional, wide-ranging and results-oriented cooperation between China and Kazakhstan will be elevated to new heights, bringing more tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Both being developing countries and countries of influence in the world, China and Kazakhstan hold common or similar positions on international and regional affairs and both shoulder the important mission of safeguarding peace, development and stability in the region and beyond. As members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, China and Kazakhstan have worked actively together within the SCO framework to take on security threats including terrorism, separatism and extremism and advance cooperation in agriculture, finance and connectivity, among others. China will continue to work with Kazakhstan to make new and still bigger contribution to peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large.