BFSU holds a symposium on China-Kazakhstan relations over the past 30 years on Sept 22. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

A symposium on China-Kazakhstan relations over the past 30 years was held online and in person on Sept 22. The meeting was organized by the Centre for Kazakhstan Studies and the School of Russian at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU).

Wang Dinghua, Party secretary of the CPC BFSU committee, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the symposium. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Wang Dinghua, Party secretary of the CPC BFSU committee, highlighted the university’s historical mission in foreign language talent training, explained the development of its Centre for Kazakhstan Studies, and wished the centre a bright future in his opening speech.

He noted that the symposium, which was held on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of China-Kazakhstan relations, is conducive to deepening the understanding of bilateral relations between the two countries, promoting regional and national research, and training language and research talents.

Zhang Xiao, Chinese ambassador to Kazakhstan, speaks at the opening ceremony of the symposium. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Zhang Xiao noted that this year, which marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Kazakhstan, is a new starting point for their bilateral relations.

He reviewed the development path of the two countries over the past 30 years, talked about the deepening of their relations in politics, economy, security, people-to-people exchanges and international cooperation, and elaborated on the connotations of a new type of bilateral relationship.

Zhang said that China and Kazakhstan should work together to deal with crises and challenges, and explore new opportunities in the current turbulent international climate to further the China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership.

Sun Zhuangzhi, director of the CASS Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, gives a speech at the opening ceremony of the symposium. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Sun Zhuangzhi, director of the Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), affirmed the necessity of holding the seminar and stressed the importance of studies on China-Kazakhstan relations.

Sun explained the role head-of-state diplomacy has played in the development of Sino-Kazakh relations, and went on to stress the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and seizing the opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative.

He expressed his wish for China and Central Asian countries to continue to tap their potential through cooperation and to make more achievements, promote regional prosperity and improve people's well-being.

Shakhrat Nuryshev, Kazakhstan's ambassador to China, speaks at the opening ceremony of the symposium. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Kazakhstan's Ambassador to China Shakhrat Nuryshev spoke highly of the fruitful achievements made by China and Kazakhstan in various fields, and said that he is looking forward to another 30-year golden period in China-Kazakh relations.

Those who delivered reports at the keynote speech session included Dai Guiju, dean of the School of Russian at BFSU; Xu Tao, deputy director of the Euro-Asian Social Development Research Institute and director of the Central Asian Research Office of the Development Research Center of the State Council; Deng Hao, research fellow at the Department for European-Central Asian Studies at the China Institute of International Studies; Ding Xiaoxing, director of the Institute of Eurasian Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations; Pan Zhiping, former director of the Institute of Central Asian Studies at the Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences; Li Qi, director of the Institute of Central Asia of Shaanxi Normal University; Wang Jinguo, dean of the School of Politics and International Relations and deputy director of the Institute for Central Asian Studies at Lanzhou University; Zhang Ning, director of the Central Asian Research Office at the CASS Institute of Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies; and Deng Xin from the School of Political Science and Law at Xinjiang Normal University.

They talked about cross-border ethnic groups in China and Kazakhstan, the development of China-Kazakhstan relations and achievements made by the two countries. They also touched on the riots in Kazakhstan and the remarks and deeds of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, as well as the characteristics of each stage in Sino-Kazakh relations and shared their reflections on the development of Sino-Kazakh relationship in the post-pandemic era.

Young scholars from the Central Asian Research Office at the CASS Institute of Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, the Department for European-Central Asian Studies at the China Institute of International Studies and the Kazakhstan Research Center at the Institute of Silk Road Studies at Northwest University shared their opinions on the politics, economy and security of Kazakhstan and the characteristics and prospects of Sino-Kazakh cooperation.

Attendees of the symposium gather for a group photo. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Sun Fang, director of the Centre for Kazakhstan Studies at BFSU, delivered a concluding speech, showing the achievements made by the university in Kazakh language learning and expressing sincere thanks to all participants.

Attendees of the seminar shared their distinctive views on China-Kazakhstan relations over the past three decades, which have enriched the knowledge of BFSUers and provided a platform for promoting relevant research.