President Xi congratulates Kazakh leader

Wishes for Tokayev's election victory come as bilateral relations hailed

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message on Monday to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on his reelection as president of Kazakhstan, and he called for joint efforts to further elevate the bilateral permanent comprehensive strategic partnership.

Xi pointed out in the message that Tokayev's reelection on Sunday fully reflects the trust and support extended to him from the people of Kazakhstan.

He reiterated that he attaches importance to China's ties with Kazakhstan, and expressed his readiness to work with Tokayev to use the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations this year as a new starting point to forge a community with a shared future between the two sides and usher in benefits to both nations and their peoples.

Tokayev was reelected after winning 81.31 percent of the 11.95 million votes cast during the nation's presidential election on Sunday, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The presidential election was of historic significance, and will open a new political era, Tokayev said on Monday, adding that the Kazakh authorities will firmly carry out reforms and strive to build a new Kazakhstan.

Sunday's snap presidential election at the weekend was contested by six candidates, including Tokayev.

Xi and Tokayev this year exchanged successful visits, which have brought bilateral relations to a higher level. Tokayev was among the heads of state and government who visited Beijing during the Winter Olympic Games in February.

Kazakhstan was the destination of Xi's first foreign trip since the outbreak of COVID-19. The president made a whirlwind visit to the country on Sept 14, when he was awarded the Order of the Golden Eagle, Kazakhstan's highest honor.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a news briefing on Monday that during the visit the two leaders reached key consensuses on building a community with a shared future defined by lasting friendship, achieving a high degree of mutual trust and sharing weal and woe, and these efforts chart the direction for the future of bilateral ties.

Trade between China and Kazakhstan reached $25.25 billion in 2021.For the first seven months of this year, a growth of 19.3 percent from the year-earlier period was reported, according to the Foreign Ministry.