Kazakh Ambassador to China Shakhrat Nuryshev at the award ceremony on February 9 at the Kazakh embassy in China Photo: Hu Yuwei/GT

Kazakh Ambassador to China Shakhrat Nuryshev presented commemorative medals to about 50 Chinese state institutions and representatives in recognition of their contributions to the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Beijing on Thursday.

The ambassador praised the important role that Chinese delegates had played in advancing the CICA process, promoting CICA institution building, and promoting confidence-building measures in various fields.

The representatives were from China's governmental and non-governmental institutions in various areas including agriculture, diplomacy, public security and cyber security.

Kazakhstan's presidency in 2022 has coincided with the 30th anniversary of the CICA. In recognition of their contributions to the development of the conference, CICA Secretary General Kairat Sarybay awarded anniversary medals to diplomats including those from China for their distinguished services and valuable contribution to the strengthening and development of the CICA process.

"China has made great contributions to the formation and development of the CICA. China was one of the first countries to support the establishment of the CICA and has been actively participating in its activities over the past 30 years," said Sarybay at the awarding ceremony.

Kazakh Ambassador to China Shakhrat Nuryshev awards a Chinese delegate for contributions to the CICA process on February 9. Photo: Courtesy of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Beijing

China has effectively chaired the CICA from 2014 to 2018. The successful summit held in Shanghai was the largest of all previous events held within the framework of the CICA, the ambassador noted.

The establishment of the CICA has facilitated a new mechanism to find mutually acceptable solutions to regional security issues. Its uniqueness lies in the common understanding of CICA member states that peace and stability in Asia can only be achieved through dialogue, cooperation and enhanced mutual trust, he said.

To cope with a shift in the traditional architecture of international security, the CICA remains firmly committed to its primary objectives - to serve as a platform for political dialogue and collaboration and to strengthen trust. At the same time, current trends in global geopolitics and economics require a realignment of the content and form of cooperation within the CICA's framework, Sarybay suggested. The ambassador expressed appreciation for China's support for the CICA's transformation initiative.

Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui spoke highly of the CICA's activities in ensuring regional security, strengthening political dialogue and confidence-building measures at the award ceremony, saying that China is willing to support further activities of the CICA.

Chinese representatives hailed the role of the CICA in consolidating cooperation among member states to serve peace, security and stability and to promote tolerance, human coexistence, dialogue and sustainable development in the Asian continent and the whole world.

The CICA now has 28 member states, nine observer states, and five observer organizations. The Summit of the CICA was held in the Republic of Kazakhstan in October 2022.