On the afternoon of May 17, 2004, President Hu Jintao held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who was paying a state visit to China.

Hu said that since the establishment of China-Kazakhstan diplomatic ties 12 years ago, bilateral relations have been developing smoothly with cooperation in various fields continuously expanded and coordination in regional and international affairs increasingly close. The two countries have become harmonious neighbors, sincere friends and good partners. He pointed out that the sound and stable development of China-Kazakhstan relations are mainly based on the following efforts by the two sides. First, both countries view bilateral relations from a strategic perspective and continuously enrich and explore the implications of such relations. Second, both nations keep consolidating the material basis for bilateral relations and are always committed to promoting pragmatic cooperation in various fields. Third, both sides insist on resolving any existing and emerging problems in the spirit of mutual respect, consultations on an equal footing, mutual trust and mutual understanding. Fourth, both countries keep on supporting each other on issues of common concern and enhancing strategic coordination in the international arena. China appreciates and thanks the Kazakh government for adhering to the "one-China" stance on the Taiwan issue and supporting the lofty cause of China's peaceful reunification.

Hu indicated that currently China-Kazakhstan relations are faced with new opportunities for development and the Chinese side would like to make concerted efforts with Kazakhstan to continuously open up new prospects for cooperation guided by the spirit in the China-Kazakhstan Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. He noted that China and Kazakhstan are neighboring countries with their resources complimentary to each other and there are great potentials and bright prospects for bilateral cooperation. China proposes the following suggestions for both sides. First, to promote the continuous development of bilateral trade. Government departments of the two countries should create more relaxing and favorable conditions to expand bilateral trade, and at the same time optimize trade mix to enhance the efficiency and quality of cooperation. Second, to accelerate and intensify energy cooperation. Both sides should focus on the Project of China-Kazakhstan Oil Pipeline in order to make a new breakthrough in energy cooperation. Third, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in ports and transportation. The two sides should take measures to ensure smooth port transportation, increase port handling capacity, and effectively link up transport networks. Fourth, to expand pragmatic regional cooperation between the two countries. The Chinese side welcomes Kazakh businesses to participate in the grand initiative of China's western development. China's western provinces and autonomous regions are willing to further expand cooperation with Kazakhstan to jointly seek and explore new business opportunities.

Nazarbayev fully agreed with President Hu's remarks on Kazakhstan-China relations and proposals on further developing bilateral ties. He said that the Kazakh government attaches great importance to developing good-neighborly and friendly relations with China and views China as its most important cooperation partner. For the past 12 years, bilateral relations have been developing smoothly with fruitful economic and trade cooperation and effective collaboration within such frameworks as the United Nations (UN), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building Measures in Asia (CICA). The Kazakh government upholds the one-China policy and opposes "Taiwan independence". The Kazakh side would like to strengthen cooperation with China to jointly combat terrorism, separatism and extremism. China is a good neighbor and friend for the Kazakh people and China's development will not pose any threat to Kazakhstan. The Kazakh government will make efforts to enhance strategic partnership with China and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields including economy, trade, energy resources and transportation, so as to upgrade Kazakhstan-China relations to a new level.

During the talks, the two heads of state also exchanged in-depth views and reached broad consensus on regional situations and significant international issues.

Following the talks, the two heads of state signed a joint statement between the two countries and attended the signing ceremony of such documents as the agreement on the establishment of China-Kazakhstan cooperation council and the framework agreement on comprehensive cooperation in oil and gas between the two governments.

Prior to the talks, Hu held a welcoming ceremony for Nazarbayev's visit to China at the Great Hall of the People. President Hu Jintao's wife Liu Yongqing, Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) He Luli, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Vice-Chairman of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Zhang Siqing, Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee of Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League Wu Guozhen and some other officials attended the ceremony.