During a meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in the Chinese city of Xi'an, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that China is strongly supportive of Kazakhstan protecting its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. 

"An independent, secure, stable, developed, and prosperous Kazakhstan meets the common interests of the Chinese and Kazakh peoples. China firmly supports Kazakhstan in protecting national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and supports Kazakhstan in pursuing a development path that is in line with its national realities," Xi said, as quoted by the China Central Television broadcaster (CCTV).

Toqayev and Xi Jinping held talks

The President expressed his gratitude to Xi Jinping for the invitation and warm welcome and warmly congratulated him on his re-election as President of China.
/1 pic.twitter.com/EtNzSbtydi

— The Truth of Kazakhstan (ORDA.KZ Media) (@Ordakazakhstan_) May 17, 2023

The Chinese President noted that China and Kazakhstan entertain very good relations, that both his country and Kazakhstan are good partners, as well as friendly and brotherly countries. 

He stressed the necessity of maintaining cooperation and aligning development strategies more closely, including work towards forming a Chinese-Kazakh community that would be symbolic of the two countries' longstanding friendship. 

According to CCTV, the two sides signed a joint communique and a series of bilateral documents pertaining to trade, energy, agricultural and transport matters. 

Tokayev is scheduled to participate in the China-Central Asia summit later this week, which will be also held in the Chinese city of Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province.

His visit will last through May 19, according to his office. 

🇨🇳Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday held talks in Xi'an with President Kassym-Jomart #Tokayev of #Kazakhstan🇰🇿, who is in China for the #ChinaCentralAsiaSummit and a state visit.
Xi once again wished him a happy birthday as he turned 70 on this very day. pic.twitter.com/u4iPX03v8T

— Record GBA (@RecordGBA) May 17, 2023

On November 21, 2022, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev secured a second term as President of Kazakhstan with 81% of the vote out of a population of 19 million. 

His reelection would have a significant impact on domestic stability given that it came months after severe internal turmoil was witnessed in the form of deadly unrest in January 2022 on rising prices of liquefied natural gas.

Read more: Kazakh prosecutor: 2021 riots orchestrated operation, attempted coup