The Chinese government is willing to develop trade relations with Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan included, on the basis of good-neighborly ties, equal consultation and mutual development, visiting Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi said Friday in Astana.

Addressing a forum of Chinese and Kazak entrepreneurs, Wu said China and Kazakhstan, as neighbors with sound political relations and complementary economies, enjoy a good foundation and great potential for further trade cooperation.

The establishment of the strategic partnership between the two countries has opened up greater vista for their trade cooperation, Wu said in her speech entitled "Deepening Mutually-beneficial Cooperation, Promoting Common Development."

To push the bilateral trade cooperation to a new level, Wu said the two countries should attach importance to priority fields and tap the potential.

Emphasis should be placed on cooperation in the sectors of energy, telecommunication, transportation, mineral resource exploration and the manufacturing of mechanical equipment, Wu said, noting that the bilateral trade should be optimized and diversified.

Calling for broader and more effective cooperation, Wu said China and Kazakhstan can use exploration of resources and joint programs between the two countries as the start of a more multi-faceted, wide-ranging bilateral trade cooperation.

Wu also called for strengthened mutual consultation and improved investment environment in the two countries.

The two governments should try to create an open, transparent and safe environment for trade and investment along with providing good services, Wu said.

They also should support two-way investments and exchanges of labors, and protect the legal rights of enterprises and personnel in each other's territory, she said.

Wu called on entrepreneurs of the two countries to play a bigger role in promoting the bilateral trade relations.

For his part, Kazak Deputy Prime Minister Akhmetzhan Yesimov said at the meeting that the stable and speedy development of the Chinese economy has provided a chance for Kazakhstan.

The Kazak government and business circle are pinning a great hope on the country's trade cooperation with China, he said.

About 200 delegates from China and Kazakhstan gathered here and discussed a variety of ways of promoting trade cooperation at the forum.

Kazakhstan is the first leg of Wu's four-nation Central Asia tour, which will also take her to Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Source: Xinhua