The Beijing Olympic Games will impress the whole world, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev told Xinhua on Wednesday.
"Beijing hosting the Olympic Games for the first time is an honor for China as it is a reflection of the trust of the whole world. So, once again I would like to congratulate the Chinese people and their leaders," Nazarbayev said before setting off for a two-day visit to Mongolia, from where he will head to the Chinese capital to attend the Games' opening ceremony.
"China's preparation for the Olympic Games has been excellent. Large amounts of money have been invested in the construction of stadiums and infrastructures. The whole world is expecting a marvelous event," he said.
Kazakhstan will have 132 athletes competing in 22 disciplines at the Beijing Games. The number of participants is higher than at the Athens Olympics, and the Kazakh women's volleyball and handball teams have qualified for the global event for the first time.
The Kazakh athletes aim to win at least ten or eleven medals, said Nazarbayev, adding that all the people of his country, including himself, were looking forward to fantastic performances from their compatriots, especially in events in which Kazakhstan enjoys a traditional advantage.
The president spoke of his great love for sports as a kid and his strong interest in wrestling as a teenager. He later developed an interest in tennis, golf and other sports, and even began to learn alpine skiing at the age of 55. He also instinctively loves horsemanship.
"Life lies in motion. No matter how busy I am, I take some time to exercise, even on a long-distance flight," said Nazarbayev.
The global Olympic torch relay started in Almaty, the biggest city of Kazakhstan, in April this year and Nazarbayev was the first person to carry the flame.
"The Olympic Games is a festival of the whole world. The torch relay coming to Kazakhstan for the first time was an honor for my country," he said.
He also pointed out that developing good-neighborly relations between China and Kazakhstan is the focal point of his foreign policy. Border issues have been solved, important documents have been signed, and bilateral strategic cooperation have been lifted to a new high.
Bilateral cooperation has also progressed smoothly in international and regional organizations such as the United Nations and Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Kazakh leader added.
Bilateral trade has maintained good momentum, Nazarbayev noted. Trade with China accounts for more than 10 percent of Kazakhstan's total foreign trade volume, with bilateral trade volume expected to reach 15 billion U.S. dollars in 2008.
There are 3,000 Kazakh youths studying in China at present, which is another way in which bilateral ties are being strengthened, the president said.
He expressed his wish that all athletes would perform well in Beijing and the Games would be a complete success.
"Since we are neighbors, the people of Kazakhstan sincerely bless the Chinese athletes," Nazarbayev said.
(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2008)