On November 27, the Fourth China-Kazakhstan Economic and Social Research Forum (the forum) was held online. The theme of the forum was "China-Kazakhstan Economic and Social Cooperation in the Post-Epidemic Era: Complementary Advantages and Innovative Development." The main venue of the forum was the Xiasha Campus of ZUFE. Experts and scholars from government agencies, research institutes, universities, news and publication agencies of China and Kazakhstan, as well as business leaders, conducted extensive and in-depth discussions on the theme of the forum. The forum was respectively hosted by Vice President Zhanyong Li, Prof. Muhong Yu, Director of the Kazakhstan Center for Economic and Social Research, and Zhixian Chai, Vice President of the School of International Education and Studies.
ZUFE President Xiaomin Zhong delivered a speech on behalf of the university. He said that ZUFE has been actively practicing the spirit of the "One Belt, One Road" initiative, continuously deepening international exchanges, and doing a lot of fruitful work to promote China-Kazakhstan cooperation in areas like scientific research, personnel training, and cultural exchange. He stressed that ZUFE will explore new models, areas, and methods for China-Kazakhstan cooperation in the post-epidemic era, further promote the construction of the first academic platform focusing on Kazakhstan economic and social researches in China, and strive to usher in a new era in the development of a permanent strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan.
Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Mr. Xiao Zhang said that China and Kazakhstan are to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. And at a new starting point in history in the post-pandemic era, the two countries will enjoy various opportunities of cooperation in areas like building the Digital Silk Road, the Innovation Silk Road, the Green Silk Road, and the Health Silk Road. He hoped that experts and scholars will continue to conduct in-depth studies on Kazakhstan's economy and society from the perspective of serving China's "dual circulation” economic strategy and promoting the high-quality development of the "Belt and Road" initiative, and serve as the messenger and bridge for effective communication between the people of the two countries.
Mr. Baglan, Director of the Political Office of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in China, pointed out that the top areas of cooperation between Kazakhstan and China include jointly addressing global climate issues, developing green energy, and expanding cooperation in the field of transportation and logistics. He hoped that the participating experts and scholars will propose countermeasures and share their wisdom on how the two countries can overcome the difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 epidemic and make more effective use of the potential of cooperation between the two countries.
Prof. Xilong Wang from Lanzhou University, Prof. Seken Aday from Eurasian National University, Prof. Yujun Feng from Fudan University, Prof. Xiaolin Ma from Zhejiang International Studies University, and Prof. Guiping Xie from Zhejiang University delivered their keynote speeches respectively titled "Silk Road and China-Kazakhstan Cooperation and Its Development," "Reflections on Kazakhstan-China Economic and Trade Cooperation in the Post-Epidemic Era," "Achievements and Prospects of Cooperation in Energy between China and Central Asian Countries," "Production Capacity Cooperation between China and Central Asian Countries," and "Cross-border COVID-19 Spread between China and Kazakhstan and its Collaborative Governance: Challenges and Responses".
Additionally, speeches were made by Mr. Dehua Li, Director of Xinjiang Branch of China News Agency, Dr. Caiquan Zhou from the School of Economics of Moscow State University and his supervisor Prof. Mamiy Irina Petrovna, Mr. Hanat Baisak, President of Kazakhstan-China Trade Promotion Association, Prof. Weiran Wang from Xinjiang Normal University, Prof. Chunlin Huang from Zhejiang Technical Institute of Economics, Associate Research Fellow Ainur Xiekan from Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, Mr. Xinlan Duan, General Branch Secretary of the CCP of Xinjiang Sanbao Group, and Prof. Muhong Yu, Associate Professor Danzi Liao and Dr. Xuxia Ma from ZUFE.
The forum helped to drive the academic, business and media professionals of the two countries to actively explore new models, areas, and methods for China-Kazakhstan cooperation in the post-epidemic era, and contribute to deepen China-Kazakhstan friendship and promote the steady development of China-Kazakhstan relations.
