A delegation from Shandong visits Uzbekistan from Sept 4-7 to carry out a range of foreign affairs activities. [Photo/Dazhong News]

A governmental delegation from East China's Shandong province, led by Lin Wu, Party secretary of Shandong, visited three Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan - from Sept 2 to 9 to deepen communication and cooperation.

This overseas visit is considered a proactive measure by Shandong to serve the overall diplomatic development of the Party and the country, integrate itself into Belt and Road cooperation, and enhance friendships with Central Asian countries.

The eight-day visit took the delegation to major cities in the three countries, where the delegation met with political leaders and people from all walks of life.

An event marking further cooperation and exchanges between Shandong and Kazakhstan is held in Astana, the Kazakh capital, on Sept 4. The event was also held to mark the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. [Photo/Dazhong News]

The delegation held more than 20 events, conducted a series of economic, trade, and cultural activities, and signed several cooperation agreements and projects in the fields of agriculture, infrastructure, equipment manufacturing, logistics and trade.

In the context of the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative, the exchanges and interactions between Shandong and Central Asian countries have become increasingly close.

During the visit, the delegation met with President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, Prime Minister Askar Mamin of Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov of Uzbekistan and Prime Minister Ulukbek Maripov of Kyrgyzstan.

The leaders stated that the visit by the Shandong delegation reflects the importance attached by Shandong province to local exchanges and cooperation with Central Asian countries, and injects strong impetus into the implementation of important consensuses reached between leaders of Central Asian countries and China.

The China-Europe (Qilu) freight train's first overseas assembly center is launched in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Sept 3. [Photo/Dazhong News]

They expressed hope that both sides will leverage their respective strengths to promote deeper and more substantial exchanges and cooperation, and elevate the friendly relations to a new level.

The exchanges between Shandong and the Central Asian region have a long history. Cultural exchange is an important bond connecting both sides, and is also one of the important highlights of the delegation's visit. The traditional friendship between the Chinese and Central Asian people is now flourishing with new vigor and vitality in the new era.

Looking forward, Shandong and the localities in Central Asian countries are like-minded partners on the path of development and revitalization. This visit by the delegation from Shandong province conveys the good wishes of close neighbors and promotes friendly exchanges and win-win cooperation.

A delegation from Shandong visits Kyrgyzstan from Sept 7 to 8. [Photo/Dazhong News]