China shows great interest in Kazakhstan’s experience of regulating religious activities and the Kazakhstani model of interfaith harmony

On September 11, 2018, Vice Minister Berik Aryn met with the Chinese delegation in the Ministry of Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, headed by the Chairman of the Commission on Nationalities and Religions of the People’s Political Advisory Council of the People's Republic of China Wang Weiguang.

During the meeting, which was held as part of the 5th anniversary of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, the parties exchanged views on the main areas of Kazakh-Chinese relations and issues of strengthening dialogue in the field of religion and interethnic harmony, including by signing the Memorandum of Cooperation between the MSD of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the State Administration for Religious Affairs of the PRC.

The parties noted that strong friendly relations have been established between Kazakhstan and China, which are developing in the spirit of good neighborliness and mutual understanding.

Chairman Wang Weiguan noted that due to the wise policy of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev Kazakhstan was able to achieve great success in interethnic relations, and therefore, China is extremely interested in Kazakhstan’s experience in this area, including in the field of regulation of religious activities.

Vice Minister, in turn, familiarizing the Chinese delegation in detail with the activities and new directions of the Ministry, spoke about the successful experience of Kazakhstan in ensuring peace and harmony between representatives of various ethnic groups and faiths, as well as the initiatives of the Head of State to create the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, the Fund "Otandastar" and the convening of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

In this context, B. Aryn thanked the Chinese side for their active participation in the Astana Interfaith Forum and expressed hope for the participation of the high-level delegation of the PRC in the upcoming VI Congress, which will be held on October 10-11 in the capital of Kazakhstan.

The interlocutors also examined issues related to the situation of the Kazakh diaspora in the PRC, which serves as a kind of living “bridge of friendship” between Kazakhstan and China. In particular, the Kazakh side expressed hope for further assistance by the Chinese authorities in supporting the Kazakh diaspora living in the Middle Kingdom, and in developing cultural ties with their historical Motherland.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to maintain a regular inter-confessional and interethnic dialogue, as well as to consider the possibility of organizing working visits of representatives of the two countries for an in-depth exchange of experience in the field of state-confessional relations.