A seminar on the joint construction for the “Belt and Road” Initiative, which came into its fourth year since it was initiated in 2013, was held in Astana, Kazakhstan on September 7.

The seminar, held by the China Pavilion of Astana Expo 2017 with the assistance of the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan, invited more than 50 representatives from government institutions, business associations, chambers of commerce and well-known enterprises from China and Kazakhstan to have in-depth discussions on the topic of “Opening up and Cooperation, Mutual Benefit and Win-win”.

Wang Jinzhen, Government Representative of the China Pavilion, also Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), shared the achievements gained from China-Kazakh cooperation by favor of the “Belt and Road” Initiative.

“China and Kazakhstan can strengthen the complementarity of each other’s advantageous resources and deepen exchanges in agriculture, energy, infrastructure construction and other sectors by take the opportunity of Astana Expo 2017. Both sides can also enhance practical cooperation for enterprises, and effectively put into practice the consensus, which was reached by leaders of both sides on deepening China-Kazakh cooperation in all sectors. Meanwhile, cooperation potentials still remain in people-to-people exchanges, tourism and education,” added Wang.

Wang also suggested both countries explore tourism resources and simplify visa application procedures to embrace more Chinese tourists in Kazakhstan. In addition, exchanges for students and talents will also be promoted for mutual understanding of each other.

"As the old saying goes, people who share the same value won’t be affected by the distance. The Kazakh proverb also explains the truth that wealth is not the real wealth, unity is the real one,” said by Liu Jiangping, Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan. Liu noted, Kazakhstan is not only where the “Belt and Road” Initiative was initiated, but also the first country that endorses capacity cooperation and matching of the development strategies of China and Kazakhstan. During the past four years, with the support of the leaders of both countries, China and Kazakhstan have made great efforts and achieved in 'five direct connectivity'. The bilateral cooperation bears a promising outlook.

Talgat Doskenov, Vice Chairman of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NCE), said that China’s “Belt and Road” Initiative and Kazakhstan’s “Bright Road” Initiative are all closely relevant to the regional cooperation. The “Belt and Road” Initiative will benefit about 63 percent of the world’s population. Doskenov proposed all countries along the route foster exchanges and cooperation in new energy, food security, capacity building, talent training and employment.

Delegates of enterprises from China and Kazakhstan discussed about trade and investment cooperation at the seminar.

On September 7, 2013, the “Silk Road Economic Belt” was advocated by Chinese President Xi Jinping at Nazarbayev University, located right across from today’s Astana Expo Park. The “21st-century Maritime Silk Road” was proposed during President Xi’s state visit to Indonesia in October, 2013. Combined with the two ideas, the “Belt and Road” Initiative was finally initiated. This year marks the fourth anniversary since the initiative came about.