Kazakh deputy FM on upcoming Pope, Xi visits

Chinese leader Xi Jinping's first foreign visit to Kazakhstan will advance political and economic relations with the former Soviet Republic, the country's deputy foreign minister said on Tuesday.

Roman Vassilenko, Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister said "Kazakhstan and China are bound by a very great number of joint interests in political, economic, and cultural spheres. And, of course, this visit is extremely important as well. It's a state visit. It's a short one. But it has given the highest level of visits. And we certainly hope that it will advance political and economic and commercial relations with China."

Pope Francis is also going to be in the Kazakh capital at the same time as Xi, who is making his first foreign visit since the coronavirus pandemic.