On January 16, 2024, a delegation led by the Vice Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Abulkhair Tamabek, visited the Western Research Institute of CAAS (WRI). The two sides exchanged views on promoting agricultural science and technology cooperation and reached a consensus on cooperation. Gao Lei, Director General of WRI, chaired the meeting.

During the meeting, He Wenqing, Deputy Director General of WRI, introduced the key research areas, demonstration and promotion of scientific and technological achievements, construction of research platforms, as well as cooperation in agricultural science and technology with Central Asian countries.

Gao Lei expressed hope that the vice minister's visit would bolster bilateral exchanges and cooperation. He emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing technological innovation across various domains such as biosafety, grain and oil, and forestry. He highlighted the significance of jointly establishing international agricultural research platforms and experimental demonstration bases between China and Kazakhstan. Furthermore, he underscored the need for joint initiatives like organizing the Central Asia International Cooperation Forum, fostering the development of doctoral and master's students, facilitating agricultural product trade, and collectively shaping a new era of exchange and cooperation marked by mutual understanding and complementary advantages.

Abulkhair Tamabek highly praised the achievements of the WRI in the field of agricultural science and technology innovation and expressed the intention to further deepen pragmatic cooperation with WRI in areas such as plant protection, animal husbandry, and efficient utilization of water resources, strengthen reciprocal visits and exchanges, so as to advance cooperation to a new level.

The Vice Minister and his delegation also visited the National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization in Xinjiang.

Advisors from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan among others accompanied the visit. Officials of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Xinjiang, members of the WRI leadership, responsible scientists and staff attended the event.