BEIJING, Oct. 17 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Xi said he is very happy to meet his old friend again. A sound, stable and vibrant China-Kazakhstan relationship is conducive to the development and revitalization of both countries as well as to regional peace and stability, Xi said.

China supports Kazakhstan in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, Xi said.

No matter how the international situation changes, China and Kazakhstan should pass on the concept of good-neighborliness and friendship from generation to generation, and promote further development of China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said.

Xi called on the two sides to strengthen cooperation, promote the Belt and Road cooperation to achieve more results, and deliver more benefits to the people of the two countries.

China is willing to continuously facilitate trade and investment with Kazakhstan, expand imports of high-quality and green agricultural products from Kazakhstan, and promote exchanges in digital technology including cross-border e-commerce, artificial intelligence, big data and blockchain, he said.

China firmly opposes external forces interfering in the internal affairs of Central Asian countries, and supports Kazakhstan in performing its duties as the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Xi said.