With the theme of "Energetic and Green Fujian", the Fujian Day was inaugurated in the China Pavilion of Astana Expo on August 3.

Officials attending the ceremony included Shu Huan, curator of China Pavilion, Liu Jiangping, Charge d'affaires of Chinese ambassador to Kazakhstan, Chen Zhen, chairman of Fujian provincial China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Gulmira Issayeva, Kazakhstan’s vice minister of Agriculture, Talgat Doskenov, vice-chairman of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NCE), Aidyn Bayedilov, general director of the Kazakhstan Investment Cooperation Agency, Nurzhanov Mirbloat Sangaleivich, deputy mayor of Oral in West Kazakhstan region, and other officials, scholars and business executives from Kazakhstan.

More than 60 people attended the event, including Pavilion representatives from more than 20 countries including Kazakhstan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, the Republic of Belarus, Georgia and Morocco. Representatives from Kazakhstan enterprises also attended the event.

Shu Huan, curator of China Pavilion, delivers a speech.

Shu Huan said that the expo, with the theme of "Future Energy", is a perfect platform for countries to showcase the achievements in utilizing and developing new energy, exploring energy cooperation strategy and promoting sustainable development.

Fujian is located in the southeastern coast of China, and has favorable conditions such as developed private economy and sound marine economy. Since the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative was put forward, Fujian has actively built a core area of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. During this time, Fujian will organize many activities, including economic and trade talks and exhibitions and theatrical performances.

Shu believes that there will be a closer economic and trade relations between the two nations through the event, and people from different countries will experience the uniqueness of "Fujian culture".

Liu Jiangping, Charge d'affaires of Chinese ambassador to Kazakhstan, delivers a speech.

Liu Jiangping praised the unique regional culture of Fujian province, pointing out that Fujian is strong in economic development. As one of the pioneering areas of China's reform and opening-up, it has gradually formed a unique development pattern. The cooperation between China and Kazakhstan has become a new bright spot with the promotion of Belt and Road Initiative and international production capacity cooperation. The event will bring new opportunities for the cooperation between the two nations and enterprises.

Talgat Doskenov, vice-chairman of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NCE), delivers a speech.

Talgat Doskenov said that entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan have strong interests in cooperating with Fujian enterprises. He believes that there are similarities between people from Fujian and Kazakhstan in finding new inspirations and job opportunities. The Belt and Road Initiative set out the direction for the two nations to have further bilateral cooperation.

He pointed out that during the event, a large number of entrepreneurs participated in the negotiations on business and cooperation. He hopes that the companies from the two countries can strengthen exchanges for further cooperation.

Aidyn Bayedilov, general director of the Kazakhstan Investment Cooperation Agency, delivers a speech.

"Fujian is rich in products and natural resources, and I believe there will be a broad prospect for cooperation between Kazakhstan and Fujian." Aidyn said in his speech.

He cited the ancient Chinese proverb that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, saying that the expo is a good start to encourage various forms of joint ventures and cooperation. At present, 51 cooperation projects are already under way between China and Kazakhstan, with a total amount of more than $2 billion. He believes that the provincial days and weeks held by 23 provinces in China Pavilion will further expand the cooperation results.

Chen Zhen, chairman of Fujian provincial China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), delivers a speech.

Chen Zhen said that Kazakhstan is a vital country in the Belt and Road Initiative, and a key country with whom China will cooperate with on international production capacity. Fujian government hopes to promote cooperation on economy, trade, culture, tourism and other areas with Kazakhstan and neighboring countries through the activity.

By utilizing the expo platform, Fujian will display its traditional culture, energy technology, and green civilization and its potentials and prospects on the development and utilization of nuclear energy, photovoltaic energy, and biomass. Simultaneously, Fujian delegation and nearly 30 enterprises will attend economic and trade, cultural and tourism exchange activities with Kazakhstan and neighboring countries.

In the subsequent economic and trade, culture, and tourism promotion fair, the Fujian Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Office of Culture and other units briefed on Fujian's efforts to the implementation and promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative, and achievements on investment, economy, culture and other aspects, as well as the space for international cooperation. Representatives of Fujian Ya'nan Motors Group and a network information and technology company also carried out the promotional fair on cooperation projects.

After the opening ceremony, dozens of Chinese and Kazakhstan enterprises participated in the Fujian Day business matchmaking.