Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev met Saturday with visiting Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie, and the two leaders vowed to enhance ties between the two countries and their militaries.

Nazarbayev said that Kazakhstan and China, as close and friendly neighbors, have enhanced their political mutual trust and broadened their cooperation in trade and economy, energy, security and other fields, and that leaders of the two countries have kept close contact and frequent exchanges of ideas on issues of common concerns.

Nazarbayev reiterated his country's adherence to the one China policy. He said the two countries have maintained close cooperation and coordination in international and regional affairs, and their cooperation has achieved fruitful results within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Nazarbayev spoke highly of the military ties between the two countries. He expressed the hope that the two armies strengthen exchanges, expand their cooperation, elevate bilateral cooperation to a new high to ensure the steady development of their relations.

Liang, for his part, said Kazakhstan is China's friendly neighbor and strategic partner, and the two peoples enjoy profound traditional friendship. Bilateral ties have seen sound and stable development since the establishment of the diplomatic ties between the two countries, he added.

Liang said China will join hands with Kazakhstan to explore the potential of their cooperation and ensure the further growth of their bilateral ties in the new era, so as to contribute anew to the development of China-Kazakhstan strategic partnership.

Liang was on the last leg of a three-nation goodwill trip that has taken him to Pakistan and Turkmenistan.