China News Agency, Astana, January 21 (Reporter Zhang Shuo) The Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan held a 2023 New Year reception at the Beijing Building in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on the evening of the 20th local time.
Zhang Xiao, Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan, and his wife, Counselor Li Jun attended the event and gathered with guests from all walks of life to welcome the Spring Festival.
Zhang Xiao said that this reception is the first offline gathering since the outbreak, which has important symbolic significance.
He said that despite the impact of the epidemic and other unfavorable factors, China-Kazakhstan relations have always maintained a high level of operation.
In the first 11 months of last year, the trade volume between China and Kazakhstan increased by 23%, reaching 28.2 billion US dollars, and the annual trade volume in 2022 is expected to exceed 30 billion US dollars.
Zhang Xiao said that last year was a "harvest year" for China-Kazakhstan relations. The state visit of Chinese state leaders to Kazakhstan in September last year was of historical and epochal significance. , and an important signal to build a China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future.
He said that he believes that in the new year, various exchange activities between the two countries will also be climaxed and brilliant.
The reception lasted for 2 hours, and the atmosphere was joyous and festive.
Nearly 200 people from overseas Chinese in Kazakhstan, personnel from Chinese-funded institutions, representatives of teachers and students of the Confucius Institute, and representatives of Chinese students studying abroad, as well as friendly people from all walks of life including Kazakh government agencies, think tank scholars, media reporters, and embassy diplomats attended the event.
The wonderful performances were performed at the Confucius Institute in Harbin, the Ha-Chen Style Taijiquan and Qigong Association, which won rounds of applause from the audience.
The embassy also played a short video reviewing major political events in 2022 and the achievements of China-Kazakhstan cooperation in various fields.
The guests at the scene said that this Spring Festival reception is of great significance.
They deeply feel the great achievements of China's economic and social development, and look forward to another "golden 30 years" of Kazakhstan-China permanent comprehensive strategic partnership.
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