The Closing Ceremony of 2017 Kazakhstan "China Tourism Year" held in Astana

On November 17, 2017, the grand closing ceremony of Kazakhstan "China Tourism Year" was held in Astana. Du Jiang, vice chairman of China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), Kuozhapahanuofu, vice minister of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan, Zhang Hanhui, Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan, and over 1,000 representatives from the tourism departments, tourism enterprises and news media in China and Kazakhstan attended the closing ceremony.

Du Jiang in his speech first expressed, on behalf of CNTA and CNTA Chairman Li Jinzao, his welcome to and thanks for the attendees at the closing ceremony of the tourism year. He said that holding the “Tourism Year” is an important consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and Nazarbayev to boost the friendly relations between China and Kazakhstan. Over the past year, under the framework of the Year of Tourism, China and Kazakhstan held a series of exchange activities of various forms and rich contents, which yielded fruitful results. They function as the new impetus for the continuous advancement of all-round cooperation in political, economic and cultural fields between China and Kazakhstan and strengthen the foundation of public opinion for the development of the friendly relations between the two countries.

In his speech Kuozhapahanuofu said Kazakhstan and China are all-round strategic partners and their close cooperation in politics, economy and tourism creates many opportunities for friendly exchanges between the two peoples. The successful organization of Kazakhstan "China Tourism Year" has enhanced mutual understanding between the two peoples and has become a new starting point for the development of tourism exchanges between the two countries. This year is also the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development and the Year of Silk Road Tourism. China took the lead in proposing the "Belt and Road Initiative" from which Kazakhstan has benefited greatly; the two sides enjoy broad prospects for cooperation in tourism. China was among the first countries that carried out tourism cooperation with Kazakhstan which has always been committed to attracting Chinese tourists and creating a safer and more welcoming environment for them.

In his speech, Zhang Hanhui said that Kazakhstan "China Tourism Year" is the first state-level tourism year staged by China in Central Asia. It reflects the high-level relationship between the two countries and the keen aspiration of the two peoples to promote mutual understanding. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between China and Kazakhstan. Under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the "Belt and Road Initiative" and the "Path of Light" have been well aligned. The "Chinese Dream" and "Kazakhstan's Dream" echo each other. China and Kazakhstan see their converging interests reach into new breadth and depth and the prospects for building a China-Kazakhstan community of common future become even brighter. China-Kazakhstan cooperation in tourism enjoys a rare opportunity. We are willing to facilitate convenient, safe and pleasant travel for the two peoples.

At the closing ceremony, Gansu Provincial Song and Dance Theater staged a wonderful Chinese national dance "Silk Road, Flower Rain" for Chinese and Kazakh audiences. The performers with superb dance skills presented a touching story on the Silk Road. Li Jinzao, CNTA Chairman and Muhamediuly Arystanbek, Minister of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan, respectively had the Chinese tourism delegation and the Kazakh representatives present the cast members with flowers, to show thanks for their wonderful performances at the tourism year's closing ceremony.（The Department of Tourism Promotion and International Cooperation, CNTA)