Kazakhstan, China could expand passenger transportation by air, relax visa rules

ASTANA. Jan 17 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan and China could expand passenger transportation by air and relax visa rules.

Kazakh Ambassador to China Shakhrat Nuryshev held a meeting with Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu, the press service of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

The Kazakh ambassador suggested that the joint efforts should be stepped up in order to boost trade and economic relationship, improve the operation of the checkpoints on the Kazakh-Chinese border, increase the frequency of scheduled flights between the two countries to the pre-pandemic level and ease the visa regime for Kazakh citizens arriving in China, according to the press release.

Ma Zhaox noted the importance of the raised issues adding that China is ready to work on them with the Kazakh side. He also said that the Chinese Foreign Ministry is determined to cooperate closely with the Kazakh embassy in China in order to successfully organize the events scheduled for this year.

The sides also discussed the schedule of bilateral visits and events planned for 2023 at the high and highest levels, as well as liaison between the concerned agencies of the two countries.

Nuryshev suggested that the Chinese side should expedite the approval of the draft bilateral documents that are under review of the government agencies of the two countries so as to improve the legal framework and give fresh impetus to the Kazakh-Chinese relations.