Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with his Kazakh counterpart in Beijing. During their talks, the two leaders agreed to promote bilateral ties to a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership. Our reporter Su Yuting has more.

This is Kazakh President Tokayev's first state visit to China after taking office in March.

President Xi hosted a welcome ceremony for him earlier in Beijing at the Great Hall of the People.

President Xi said China is willing to enhance land and sea inter-connectivity with Kazakhstan, strengthen trade, economic, and industrial cooperation, and promote technological innovation and people-to-people exchanges. Xi also said China will continue efforts to reform and open up in order to safeguard multilateralism and an open world economy.

For his part, President Tokayev expressed his congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. He said Kazakhstan is ready to boost cooperation with China to make greater contributions to regional security and development, within the frameworks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia.

The two leaders signed a joint communique, which includes a comprehensive review and future plans for China-Kazakhstan ties.

SU YUTING BEIJING "China-Kazakhstan ties have witnessed great development since the establishment of the diplomatic relations 27 years ago. Both leaders have agreed to further align the Silk Road Economic Belt with Kazakhstan's 'Bright Road' economic policy. They say this boost in cooperation would bring more benefits not only to the two countries, but also the entire region. Su Yuting, CGTN, Beijing."