On July 6, Aida Balayeva, Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, and Shakhrat Nuryshev, Kazakh Ambassador to China, visited the China International Youth Exchange Center (CIYEC) to inspect the progress of the Kazakh Culture Center project. Liu Aiping, Chairperson of Governing Council of the CIYEC, and its Deputy Director Chen Peng met with the Kazakh delegation.

Liu extended a warm welcome to Balayeva and Nuryshev. She noted the meeting of the heads of state of China and Kazakhstan in June during the Second China-Central Asia Summit emphasized the importance of strengthening the foundation of friendship through diversified people-to-people exchanges, including among youth.

She said that the culture center, located within the CIYEC's premises, serves as a vital platform for promoting cultural, educational, and youth exchanges between the two countries. It will offer more diversified channels and face-to-face opportunities for youth engagement, becoming a cradle for nurturing a new generation committed to lasting friendship, she said, adding that this project reflects a mutual commitment and will bring mutual benefit.

Liu added that the CIYEC will fully support the construction of the culture center and ensure the smooth progress of the project, and she looks forward to broader cooperation in jointly creating new highlights in bilateral cultural and youth exchanges.

Balayeva expressed sincere gratitude for the CIYEC’s warm reception and strong support for the culture center. She said that Kazakhstan and China share profound cultural affinity and a long-standing friendship, adding that cultural exchanges and cooperation in recent years have continued to strengthen and yielded fruitful results. The establishment of the Center will provide a new window for showcasing Kazakh culture and serve as a fresh opportunity for cultural cooperation between the two countries, she noted. She emphasized that cultural exchange is an important bridge for fostering mutual understanding and friendship among young people. Kazakhstan is ready to further strengthen cooperation with the CIYEC in the fields of culture and youth to inject new vitality into the continued development of the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and China, she added.