Kazakh regional governor visits NW China's Xinjiang for two day tour

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Si Lulu) news: Spring breezes sweep across the Tianshan Mountains as friendship along the Silk Road deepens. From March 30 to 31, 2026, Marat Sultangaziev, governor of Almaty Region in Kazakhstan, led a 33-member delegation on a tour to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Traveling through Urumqi and Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, they witnessed firsthand the region's social stability, ecological beauty and vibrant ethnic unity. The delegation explored avenues for local cooperation between China and Kazakhstan and renewed good-neighborly ties along the Silk Road.

Photo taken on March 30, 2026 shows members of the delegation from Almaty Region of Kazakhstan visit Xinjiang Xiaochu Food Co., Ltd. (Photo by Ju Haicheng)

On the morning of March 30, the delegation visited Xinjiang Huier Agriculture Group Co., Ltd., Xinjiang Xiaochu Food Co., Ltd., and Jiushenghe Seed Industry Co., Ltd. in Changji. They inspected cutting-edge technologies in smart irrigation, automated food production and seed breeding.

Dimash Sydykov, head of the Almaty region's agriculture department, said companies in Xinjiang have impressive technical capabilities, noting that Huier's irrigation technology, Xiaochu's food products and Jiushenghe's seed technology all hold significant advantages. He expressed eagerness to deepen cooperation with Chinese partners for mutual benefit. During the tour, both sides signed multiple memorandums of cooperation, accelerating agricultural technology exchange and trade between China and Kazakhstan.

That afternoon, the delegation visited the Urumqi International Land Port Area. Through sand table models, displays and video presentations, they learned about Xinjiang's strategic position as the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt, including its infrastructure development, China-Europe freight train operations and overall westward opening-up strategy. As a crucial gateway for China's westward opening up, Xinjiang leverages its land port advantages to build an efficient international logistics system, providing solid support for deepening economic and trade cooperation with Central Asian countries.

The delegation then visited Xinjiang Machinery Research Institute Co., Ltd., Xinjiang Fruit Industry Group Co., Ltd., and STC Xinjiang Company Limited. At the Xinjiang Machinery Research Institute, advanced agricultural machinery and mature research and development capabilities demonstrated Xinjiang's strength in modern agricultural technology. At the Xinjiang Fruit Industry Group Co., Ltd., the delegation saw fresh and dried fruits, along with cold chain logistics systems and standardized testing procedures, experiencing firsthand the vitality of Xinjiang's specialized agricultural industrialization and brand development.

The delegation also held discussions with Xinjiang Commerce and Logistics Group Co., Ltd. Both sides engaged in in-depth talks on logistics corridor development, agricultural trade and industrial cooperation, reaching broad consensus on deepening practical collaboration.

Marat Zhakupov, president of Atasu Group in Kazakhstan, said the agreements signed with Chinese companies carry significant meaning for China-Kazakhstan logistics development. He noted that under the Belt and Road Initiative, the two sides will deepen "one-stop" logistics cooperation and strengthen friendly business ties, making connectivity more efficient and economic exchanges closer.

Photo taken on March 30, 2026 shows a representative of the delegation from Almaty Region of Kazakhstan signs a memorandum of cooperation with representative of Xinjiang Hui'er Agriculture Group Co., Ltd. (Photo by Ju Haicheng)

On the morning of March 31, the tour shifted focus to cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The delegation visited Xinjiang Medical University, where they held discussions with students from Almaty Region.

Tulajan, a student representative, said the government attaches great importance to international education and has provided valuable learning opportunities. He noted that since coming to China, he has not only gained professional knowledge but also felt the warmth and friendliness of teachers and classmates, allowing him to study with peace of mind and live happily. He expressed belief that this educational experience will help him realize his dream of becoming a doctor and enable him to contribute to the health industry.

Sultangaziev said China-Kazakhstan cooperation continues to reach new heights under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state. He noted that Xinjiang's provision of scholarship opportunities for young people from Almaty Region is a vivid demonstration of local friendship between the two countries. He told the students that they are not only students but also ambassadors of friendship, expressing hope that they will succeed in their studies, serve their motherland and become bridges connecting China and Kazakhstan.

The two-day tour was packed with activities and fruitful outcomes. Throughout the journey, the delegation witnessed Xinjiang's sustained social stability, mutual assistance among all ethnic groups and strong development momentum. They experienced the region's abundant natural resources, profound cultural heritage and open, inclusive development approach. From industrial cooperation to cultural exchange, from logistics connectivity to educational collaboration, every conversation, handshake and agreement embodied the deep friendship between China and Kazakhstan as good neighbors, demonstrating the living practice of people-to-people bonds and win-win cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Sultangaziev said Almaty Region and China's Xinjiang are geographically close, culturally connected and economically complementary, adding that this tour has further strengthened both sides' confidence in deepening cooperation. He noted that going forward, Almaty Region will continue to strengthen comprehensive cooperation with Xinjiang in trade, agriculture, logistics, education and other fields, jointly implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and contributing local efforts to building a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan and advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

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