The 17th meeting of China Kazakhstan Joint Commission for the utilization and protection of transboundary rivers was held in Beijing

Source: Ministry of water resources website 

       The 17th meeting of China Kazakhstan Joint Commission for the utilization and protection of transboundary rivers (hereinafter referred to as the Joint Commission) was held in Beijing from October 22 to 24, 2019. 

       Chinese representatives of the Joint Commission, Tian Xuebin, Vice Minister of the Ministry of water resources, Kazakh representatives of the Joint Commission and Gromov, Vice Minister of the Ministry of ecology, geology and natural resources of Kazakhstan, respectively led delegations from both sides to attend the meeting. The meeting was held in a friendly, pragmatic and constructive atmosphere. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on China Kazakhstan cross-border River cooperation and reached broad consensus. The meeting was a complete success.

       Tian Xuebin pointed out at the meeting that China and Kazakhstan are friendly neighbors, and China attaches great importance to consolidating and deepening China Kazakhstan relations. At present, China Kazakhstan relations have maintained a high level of operation and achieved fruitful results in building the "one belt and one way". Deepening all-round cooperation between China and Kazakhstan is in line with the common interests of the two countries and has become the consensus of all walks of life. China is full of confidence in the development prospect of China Kazakhstan relations. In September 2019, the two heads of state unanimously decided to develop the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan and upgrade the relationship to a new level. In the context of the new stage of bilateral relations, the two sides have carried out a lot of fruitful cooperation in the field of cross-border rivers, achieved fruitful results and made positive contributions to deepening bilateral relations. 

       Tian said that he hoped that under the Joint Commission mechanism, the two sides would continue to adhere to the principle of mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual accommodation, promote cooperation in the field of cross-border rivers between China and Kazakhstan in a more active, pragmatic and constructive spirit of cooperation, and make new contributions to deepening the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan.

       Gromov said that since the two governments signed the cooperation agreement on the utilization and protection of cross-border rivers in 2001, China Kazakhstan cooperation in the field of cross-border rivers has been deepening. It is hoped that on the basis of mutual respect and good neighborly friendship, the two sides will further strengthen exchanges and close cooperation, so as to continuously improve the level of cross-border River cooperation between China and Kazakhstan. 

        The two sides agreed to consolidate and deepen cooperation in the field of cross-border rivers between the two countries on the basis of the principles of equality, good neighbourliness and mutual benefit. The two sides will, in a professional, scientific and responsible manner, jointly implement the consensus of the leaders of the two countries, and promote the cooperation in the field of cross-border rivers between China and Kazakhstan to continuously achieve new positive results for the benefit of the two peoples.

        Representatives of water conservancy, foreign affairs, border defense and other departments of the two sides and local governments attended the meeting. During the meeting, heads of delegations and main members of the two sides jointly inspected Huinanzhuang pump station of South to North Water Transfer Project.