Tokayev says China has never harmed Kazakhstan in Xinhua interview

September 9, 2026 at 10:21 AM2 min

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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said in a Xinhua interview that the Chinese people have never harmed the Kazakh people. He praised China's role as a peace-loving major power and highlighted the importance of regional cooperation formats. Tokayev also noted the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the growing significance of the Central Asia-China format.

Key Facts

Tokayev gave the interview to China's Xinhua news agency on September 9, 2026.
He said the Chinese people have never harmed the Kazakh people and have always supported them.
Tokayev noted that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization marks its 25th anniversary this year.
He stated that Kazakhstan fully supports cooperation in the Central Asia-China format.

Interview with Xinhua

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev gave an interview to China's Xinhua news agency on September 9, 2026. He said the current international relations system is in deep crisis, with weakened mutual trust and intensified geopolitical rivalry. Tokayev also noted that the authority and capacity of the United Nations as a universal and irreplaceable international organization have been undermined.

Regional Cooperation Formats

Tokayev said Kazakhstan supports the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Central Asia-China format, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia. He noted that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization marks its 25th anniversary this year. Tokayev recalled attending the April 1996 summit in Shanghai where the Shanghai Five, which later became the SCO, was established. He said the organization has preserved the Shanghai Spirit based on mutual trust, equality, dialogue, respect for cultural diversity, and joint development.

China-Kazakhstan Relations

Tokayev said the Chinese people have never harmed the Kazakh people and have always supported them. He noted that China contributed to the formation and flourishing of the Great Silk Road together with the peoples of Central Asia. Tokayev expressed satisfaction that this tradition of support continues to this day.