Kazakhstan’s President, in the second day of his official visit to the People’s Republic of China, is participating in the 3rd International Cooperation Forum «One Belt, One Road.»

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke at the opening ceremony, expressing gratitude to the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, for the traditional warmth and impeccable organization of the forum.

He acknowledged China’s key role in ensuring global security, labeling it as the locomotive of economic and technological development.

In the current geopolitical climate, the «One Belt, One Road» initiative has become a much-needed international project and a significant platform for cooperation. This project symbolizes China’s economic might and its aspiration to reach new global heights.

It is noteworthy that a decade ago, it was in Kazakhstan that you first presented the far-reaching «One Belt, One Road» initiative, thus becoming its driving force. Commemorating this significant anniversary, today, we can confidently say that your initiative has proven its relevance, gained recognition from the international community, and evolved into a massive global project,

stated the Kazakh leader.

As Tokayev emphasized, the «One Belt, One Road» project has become an effective platform for extensive international cooperation.

Thanks to investments from participating countries, more than 150 nations from Asia, Europe, and Africa are connected through a vast network of railways, high-speed highways, and maritime routes. The project has become a global public good for our states that, amid significant turbulence in the world economy, can offer an effective response to modern challenges,

stressed the President.

The «One Belt, One Road» initiative has made a significant contribution to the development of cultural and humanitarian ties, the strengthening of neighborly relations, friendship, and mutual understanding among the countries involved in the project.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the «One Belt, One Road» initiative has led to a renaissance of the Great Silk Road. Therefore, China’s initiative is justifiably called the megaproject of the 21st century,

added Tokayev.

The head of state shared Kazakhstan’s achievements, noting that the country plays a special role in the initiative’s implementation, located at the center of Eurasia, connecting the North and South, West and East.

He stated that, as a vast inland country sharing an extensive border with China, Kazakhstan makes significant efforts to become a transport and logistics hub of international importance.

Currently, around 85 percent of all land transit shipments from China to Europe go through Kazakhstan.

Significant attention is given to developing the transit and transportation industry, with over $35 billion invested in the last 15 years.

Major infrastructure projects have been launched, such as the Kazakhstan-China logistics center in Lianyungang, the dry port of Khorgos, the Western Europe – Western China transit highway, the railway corridor from China to Iran,

noted the President.

Kazakhstan, however, does not rest on its laurels. Plans include:

• Laying 1,300 kilometers of new railway tracks within three years.
• Opening a third railway border checkpoint with China.
• Constructing new dry ports, «Bahty» and «Kalzhat.»