On April 26, 2003, visiting Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held talks with his Kazakhstan counterpart Kasymzhomart K. Tokayev. They mainly discussed issues concerning this year’s high-level visits between the two countries and other important problems about bilateral relations. Li said the new Chinese collective leadership will continue to pursue the policy of good-neighborly and friendly relations between the two countries and further promote bilateral cooperation in various areas. Tokayev appreciated this, expressing Kazakhstan’s will to strengthen the good-neighborly and friendly relations with China.

Li stressed that China is the victim of terrorism, and of drugs as well, if historically mentioned. China attaches great importance to cooperation in the fields of anti-terrorism and anti-drugs with Kazakhstan and under the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Tokayev also reiterated his firm stance on the above-mentioned issues.

The two foreign ministers expressed satisfaction over bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, and exchanged views on further deepening bilateral economic relations and trade.

Tokayev reiterated one-China policy, saying that Kazakhstan is against Taiwan’s attempt to enter WHO. Li appreciated this.

After the meeting, the two foreign ministers met with the press and answered questions. As to some of them, Li briefed the correspondents about a series of measures the Chinese government has taken to prevent and cure SARS, stressing that the Chinese government puts people’s life and health at the first place, and governments at all levels and all departments regard the prevention and the cure of SARS as their top priority. The Chinese government has also adopted protective measures to ensure the health of foreigners living in China. At last, Li said the Chinese people are confident of winning the combat against SARS.