China, Kazakhstan agree to boost security cooperation

China and Kazakhstan agreed to boost their cooperation in security, law enforcement and intelligence sharing, according to a joint declaration issued in Astana on Saturday.

The two countries agreed that terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as transnational organized crimes, including illegal arms and drug trafficking, and economic crimes, have posed a serious threat to the security and stability of Central Asian nations, said the document.

Beijing and Astana will continue to cooperate with each other both bilaterally and within such international bodies as the UN, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the CICA (Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia), and other multilateral frameworks, it added.

The two nations have decided to enhance cooperation between their law enforcement departments, and in other areas like intelligence sharing, security protection for big events and common economic projects, and exchanges of information on transnational economic crimes and criminal offenses.

Both countries support the international community in helping Afghanistan with its reconstruction on the condition of respect for the nation's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity so as to jointly promote peace, stability and development in Afghanistan and the region.

According to the declaration, the two sides agreed to work together to tackle global and regional challenges, safeguard common interests, and protect peace and security in the area and across the world.

They also agreed to support the UN in playing a central role in international affairs, and promote a just and rational development of the world order and the international system.

The two countries spoke positively of the key role the SCO has played in maintaining regional stability and promoting common development among members since its creation.

They would like to work with other SCO members to promote the long-term development of the organization, as well as lasting peace, common prosperity and harmony in the region.

China and Kazakhstan also agreed to enhance mutual trust and cooperation among CICA members and coordinate their positions on key issues within the CICA framework, said the declaration.

Meanwhile, the two countries agreed to further their cooperation in utilizing and protecting their trans-border water, the Huoerguos River, by following the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit.

The two sides also agreed to strengthen their people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and boost bilateral cooperation in culture, education, broadcasting, health care, and sports, said the document, adding that Beijing welcomes more Kazakh students to study in China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is now in Kazakhstan for a state visit after attending a Group of 20 (G20) summit in the Russian city of St. Petersburg.

After his Kazakhstan trip, Xi is scheduled to pay state visits to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Before the G20 summit, he visited Turkmenistan.

He will also attend the 13th meeting of the Council of Heads of SCO Member States in Kyrgyzstan.