Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) meets with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 17, 2023. Tokayev is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for more cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative, as he met with various international leaders, who are in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Xi held meetings with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orba, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape.

During his meeting with Tokayev, Xi said he is very happy to meet his old friend again. A sound, stable and vibrant China-Kazakhstan relationship is conducive to the development and revitalization of both countries as well as to regional peace and stability, Xi said.

No matter how the international situation changes, China and Kazakhstan should pass on the concept of good-neighborliness and friendship from generation to generation, and promote further development of China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said

China supports Kazakhstan in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, Xi said.

No matter how the international situation changes, China and Kazakhstan should pass on the concept of good-neighborliness and friendship from generation to generation, and promote further development of China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said.

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Xi called on the two sides to strengthen cooperation, promote the Belt and Road cooperation to achieve more results, and deliver more benefits to the people of the two countries.

China is willing to continuously facilitate trade and investment with Kazakhstan, expand imports of high-quality and green agricultural products from Kazakhstan, and broaden green energy cooperation with the country, Xi said.

The two countries should promote exchanges in digital technology including cross-border e-commerce, artificial intelligence, big data and blockchain, Xi said.

He also called for stronger people-to-people and cultural exchanges and closer cooperation at the local level, noting that a mutual visa exemption agreement between the two countries will take effect and that the Kazakhstan tourism year will be launched in China next year.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

He noted that China is ready to improve connectivity with Kazakhstan and increase the transport capacity, scale and efficiency of China-Europe freight trains.

China firmly opposes external forces interfering in the internal affairs of Central Asian countries, and supports Kazakhstan in performing its duties as the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Xi said.

For his part, Tokayev said from day one, Kazakhstan has firmly supported and actively participated in the Belt and Road Initiative.  

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Over the past decade, China has become a leading country in the world, and the Belt and Road cooperation has yielded remarkable achievements, Tokayev said.

Noting that China is Kazakhstan's forever trustworthy friend and partner, Tokayev said Kazakhstan speaks highly of China's just position and positive role in international affairs, including its efforts to promote the settlement of the Ukraine crisis, and is willing to strengthen multilateral communication and coordination with China.

The two heads of state witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral documents on cooperation in areas including connectivity and economic development.

Senior Chinese officials including Cai Qi and Wang Yi were present at the events.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) meets with Chilean President Gabriel Boric at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Xi: Chile a BRI cooperation pioneer

While meeting his Chilean countpart Boric, Xi said Chile is a pioneer in the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Latin America. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than half a century ago, China-Chile ties have maintained stable and sound development.

Xi said China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Chile to uphold solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, and safeguard true multilateralism and free trade

The bilateral cooperation in various fields has promoted the development and revitalization of the two countries and delivered tangible benefits to the two peoples, he said.

The two countries should take the signing of the Belt and Road cooperation plan as an opportunity to strengthen the alignment of their development strategies, he said.

Xi said China and Chile should deepen traditional cooperation in economy, trade and infrastructure, and foster new drivers of growth for cooperation on clean energy, digital economy, and scientific and technological innovation, to make Chile a leading country in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Latin America.

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China welcomes more high-quality agricultural products and specialties from Chile to enter the Chinese market, he said.

Xi said that both China and Chile belong to the Global South. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Chile to uphold solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, and safeguard true multilateralism and free trade.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Chilean President Gabriel Boric at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

China appreciates Chile's positive contributions to the development of China-Latin America relations and the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum, and hopes Chile will continue to play its unique role in promoting China's cooperation with Latin America, he said.

Boric said the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi draws wisdom from Chinese traditional culture that has a history of more than 5,000 years, and is based on the principles of equality and mutual respect. It has become an important platform for mutually beneficial cooperation and an important opportunity for countries around the world to achieve common development. Chile highly values and will continue to actively participate in the cooperation.

Chile supports China's efforts to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, Boric said, adding that Chile hopes to become the hub of cooperation between China and Latin American countries and play an active role in promoting the development of the Latin America-China relations.

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in fields such as Belt and Road cooperation, digital economy, scientific and technological innovation, customs inspection and quarantine.

A joint statement between the two countries was issued after the talks.

Prior to the talks, Xi held a welcoming ceremony for Boric in the Great Hall of the People.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) meets with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Hungary firmly supports BRI

Xi said in a meeting with the Hungarian prime minister that China-Hungary relations have maintained high-level development in recent years, adding that Hungary has long been committed to friendly policies toward China and actively supported the Belt and Road cooperation.

"I highly appreciate Prime Minister Orban's attendance at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation for three consecutive times," Xi said.

Xi stressed China's commitment to promoting a deep synergy of the Belt and Road Initiative with Hungary's "Opening to the East" policy, and sharing development opportunities and achievements

Xi said China is willing to continue to be good friends and partners with Hungary who trust each other and pursue win-win cooperation, and take the China-Hungary comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels.

Xi stressed China's commitment to promoting a deep synergy of the Belt and Road Initiative with Hungary's "Opening to the East" policy, and sharing development opportunities and achievements.

The two sides should work for the on-time completion and operation of the Budapest-Belgrade Railway, he said, adding that China is willing to increase imports of high-quality agricultural products from Hungary.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Xi also noted that China stands ready to work with Hungary to continue to lead cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries in the right direction and promote steady and sustained progress in China-Europe relations.

Hungary will firmly support and continue to actively participate in the BRI, Orban said.

Orban said Hungary stays committed to deepening its friendly and cooperative relations with China and will continue to be a trustworthy friend and partner of China in the European Union.

Hungary opposes decoupling, severing supply chains, and the so-called "de-risking," said the prime minister.

Orban noted that Hungary will continue to actively promote cooperation between Central and Eastern European countries with China, and promote the sound and steady growth of Europe-China relations.

China-Indonesia ties a key example

In a meeting with the Indonesian president, Xi said that over the past 10 years, China and Indonesia have been following the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration, making joint efforts in promoting development and delivering huge benefits to the people of the two countries. 

He also hailed the cooperation between the two countries as an important example for international cooperation in building the Belt and Road.

China is willing to continue to enhance mutual support on the path of realizing modernization and national rejuvenation with Indonesia and promote the long-term and steady growth of bilateral relations, Xi said.

Mature comprehensive strategic partnership with PNG 

Meanwhile, Xi said China applauds Papua New Guinea for adhering to the one-China principle and giving firm support to China on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns.

China will also firmly support Papua New Guinea in safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests, he added.

Xi said Papua New Guinea has played a leading and exemplary role in the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Pacific island countries, and China is willing to continue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Papua New Guinea.

China is willing to share development opportunities brought by Chinese modernization and help Papua New Guinea pursue industrialization and modernization, said Xi.

READ MORE: Xi says China to work to with PNG for community with shared future

Xi noted that China's assistance to Pacific island countries is candid, sincere and selfless. It does not attach political conditions or seek exclusive rights in conducting such assistance.

China does not make empty promises and fully respects the willingness and the practical needs of Pacific island countries, he added.

China will continue to deepen its cooperation with Pacific island countries to boost their long-term economic and social development, Xi said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) meets with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 17, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

China-Ethiopia BRI cooperation at forefront

On the same day, China and Ethiopia announced elevating their ties to an "all-weather strategic partnership" as Xi met with Ahmed, the Ethiopian prime minister.

Calling Ethiopia a key participant of the Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said the cooperation between the two countries over the past decade has been at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation in terms of cooperation fields and results

Xi said the two sides should take the establishment of the all-weather strategic partnership, announced in a joint statement issued by the two countries, as an opportunity to advance common development and win-win cooperation, promote South-South solidarity and cooperation, and safeguard international equity and justice.

Calling Ethiopia a key participant of the Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said the cooperation between the two countries over the past decade has been at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation in terms of cooperation fields and results.

Xi stressed that China supports Ethiopia in safeguarding its own sovereignty, security and development interests. The two sides should continue to strengthen solidarity and cooperation and firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.

China is willing to support and participate in Ethiopia's post-war reconstruction and economic revitalization, and implement the Global Development Initiative to help Ethiopia achieve development, said Xi.

He also said China will work with Ethiopia in pursuit of peace and development and jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Ahmed said that investment from China and bilateral cooperation, especially the Belt and Road cooperation, have effectively boosted Ethiopia's economic and social development. Ethiopia will continue to advance the Belt and Road cooperation and welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in Ethiopia, he said.

Ethiopia highly appreciates and actively supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi, and is willing to work closely with China to promote the implementation of the initiatives, he said.

Working with Uzbekistan for modernization

In his meeting with the Uzbek president, Xi said he is delighted that the consensus reached by the two sides is being fully carried out.

As the Belt and Road Initiative marks its 10th anniversary, China stands ready to work with Uzbekistan to support each other's national modernization drive and build the China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future, Xi added.

'An ironclad friend'

Xi also met with Serbian President Vucic and said he was very pleased to meet his old friend and extended a warm welcome for Vucic’s attendance at the Belt and Road forum.

Calling Serbia "an ironclad friend" of China, Xi said the bilateral relations have withstood changes in the international landscape over recent years and are an exemplar of friendly relations between China and European countries.

The two countries have promoted cooperation in the field of infrastructure construction, while continuously improving the depth, breadth, quality and efficiency of cooperation, Xi added.