Central Asia-China relations reach level of comprehensive strategic partnership - Tokayev

ASTANA. June 17 (Interfax) - Central Asian states have created an unprecedented model of cooperation in the spirit of real neighborliness, friendship and mutual support by their combined efforts and mutual confidence, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

"An unprecedented model of cooperation in the spirit of real neighborliness, friendship and mutual support has been created in Central Asia owing to mutual confidence and combined efforts of the states that are present here," Tokayev said at the second Central Asia-China summit in Astana on Tuesday.

"In that connection, it would be right to note the active and useful role of China led by great statesman, President Xi Jinping," he said.

Central Asia, which has a vast market of 80 million people and rich natural resources, has been consistently strengthening its position of an important subject of international relations and trade, economic, investment and humanitarian cooperation, Tokayev said.

"Comprehensive cooperation with the People's Republic of China plays a key role in this positive process. I am happy to say that relations between Central Asia and China have reached the level of eternal, 'al-weather', comprehensive strategic partnership," he said.