Nuryshev Shakhrat, Kazakhstan's ambassador to China. [Phto/[Photo/WeChat account: tj_swb]

Nuryshev Shakhrat, Kazakhstan's Ambassador to China, has praised Tianjin's strategic and cultural significance ahead of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, calling the city a key driver of regional collaboration.

The SCO summit will be held from Aug 31 to Sept 1 in Tianjin.

"Tianjin's world-class port infrastructure and rich cultural heritage will lend unique charm to the summit," Nuryshev stated in an interview.

He pointed out the close ties between Tianjin and Kazakhstan: "We regard Tianjin as a key partner for expanding import and export routes and a strategic fulcrum for the joint development of port and warehousing infrastructure."

Local-level cooperation was thriving, with a record number of Kazakh regional leaders visiting China this year.

On energy cooperation, Nuryshev welcomed the SCO Strategy for the Development of Energy Cooperation until 2030. It aims to transition member states from traditional energy partnerships to a green energy alliance, reflecting the bloc's growing influence on global energy markets.

Cultural exchanges remained a priority. With over 4,000 Kazakh students in China and the launch in Kazakhstan of the Luban Workshop — an international vocational education project initiated by Tianjin  — bilateral ties were deepening.

Nuryshev highlighted the fact that Kazakhstan was promoting its traditional arts in China through various forms and would further enhance cultural exchanges between the two sides with more initiatives in the future.

"Tianjin will witness the blossoming of the 'Shanghai Spirit' in a new era," Nuryshev concluded, reaffirming Kazakhstan's commitment to building a peaceful, prosperous and united regional future.