Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Prime Minister Karim Masimov met here separately with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi Tuesday, and both sides pledged joint efforts to enhance economic cooperation and strengthen bilateral ties.

At his talks with Yang, Nazarbayev reiterated the Kazakh government's adherence to the one-China policy and its resolve to work with China to crack down on the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism.

During his meeting with the Chinese foreign minister, Masimov said Kazakhstan is ready to further expand its cooperation with China in the non-resource sector and will also join China's effort to ensure the smooth implementation of such projects as the second phase of the China-Kazakhstan oil pipeline, a natural gas pipeline and Horgos International Border Cooperation Centre.

Meanwhile, Nazarbayev and Masimov again extended their sincere sympathies and condolences over the devastating earthquake that hit southwestern China on May 12.

They also expressed their firm support for China's hosting of the 2008 Olympics and wished a great success to the Beijing Olympic Games.

Yang, who arrived Tuesday in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan for an official visit, thanked the Kazakh side for offering sympathy and providing relief aid for China after the quake.

China also appreciates Kazakhstan's efforts to ensure a smooth Olympic Torch relay in the country, the Chinese foreign minister said.

The Chinese government speaks highly of Kazakhstan's valuable support for China over the issues of Taiwan and Tibet and in the combat against the "three evil forces," Yang said, adding that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the development of China-Kazakhstan relations, which has always been a foreign policy priority for China.

China is ready to work with Kazakhstan to implement the consensus reached by the top leaders of the two countries on boosting the Sino- Kazakh strategic partnership, Yang said.

China will also strive to ensure the efficient implementation of the large cooperation projects with Kazakhstan, expand bilateral cooperation in the non-resource sector and raise the level of pragmatic cooperation, Yang added.

On Tuesday, Yang also met with his Kazakh counterpart Marat Tazhin. The two ministers reached consensus over a wide range of topics they discussed, including bilateral ties as well as international and regional issues of common concern.