Nur-Sultan(Kazakhstan)

Nur-Sultan(Kazakhstan)

[Overview] Nur-Sultan (previously known as Astana) is the capital city of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Located in the steppe in central-northern Kazakhstan, the city covers an area of 952 square kilometers and has a population of 1.5 million. The Ishim River runs through the city. In 1997, Kazakhstan moved its capital from Almaty to Akmola, which was renamed Astana in 1998 and then Nur-Sultan in 2019.

[Politics] The Public Council of Nur-Sultan serves as the city's legislative body with upper and lower houses. The city government consists of the General Office , the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning and Land Relations, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Finance, and other departments. There are three districts in the city. The mayor of Nur-Sultan is appointed by the president of Kazakhstan, and the incumbent Mayor Altay Seidirovich Kulginov took office in June 2019.

[Economy] Nur-Sultan is a major industrial and agricultural production base in Kazakhstan. Its main industries include petroleum, mining, coal, agriculture and animal husbandry, with petroleum and metallurgy being the pillars. Processing, machinery manufacturing and light industry are relatively underdeveloped. The city has to import most of its daily consumer goods.

[Culture and Education] Nur-Sultan has a well-educated population, with basically no illiterate. Over 10% of its population have received higher education and over 50% secondary education. The city has two comprehensive universities as well as a range of large public cultural facilities, including museums, theaters and cultural centers.

[Relations with Beijing] Beijing and Nur-Sultan officially became sister cities on November 16, 2006. The relations between the two cities have developed smoothly since then and a cooperation memorandum of understanding was signed in 2011.

Culture: In 2008, when Nur-Sultan celebrated its 10th anniversary as the capital, Beijing donated a sculpture featuring the Great Wall, which was regarded as exceptional among the 20 landmark sculptures from 17 countries. In 2017, a delegation of Beijing participated in the opening ceremony and relevant activities of the Beijing Week during Expo 2017 Astana. In 2018, Beijing also attended the 20th anniversary celebrations of the city as the new capital of Kazakhstan.

Arts: In 2011, Nur-Sultan sent a delegation of nearly 200 members to stage performances and exhibitions at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. The activities were warmly welcomed by Beijing residents. 

努尔苏丹市(哈萨克斯坦)

【概况】努尔苏丹市（原名阿斯塔纳市）是哈萨克斯坦共和国首都，位于哈萨克斯坦中北部沙漠草原，伊希姆河穿城而过，面积952平方公里，人口150万。1997年，哈萨克斯坦首都由阿拉木图迁至阿克莫拉。1998年，阿克莫拉更名为阿斯塔纳。2019年，阿斯塔纳更名为努尔苏丹。

【政治】努尔苏丹市议会行使立法职能，由上下两院组成。市政府由办公厅、城建局、卫生局、金融局等部门组成。全市下辖3个区。市长由总统任命，现任市长阿尔泰·库里金诺夫于2019年6月就职。

【经济】努尔苏丹市是哈工农业主要生产基地。工业以石油、采矿、煤炭和农牧业为主，支柱产业为石油和冶金，加工业、机器制造业和轻工业相对落后，大部分日用消费品依靠进口。

【文化教育】努尔苏丹市教育基础较好，基本无文盲。10%以上人口受过高等教育，50%以上受过中等教育。该市有2所综合性大学以及博物馆、剧院、文化馆等大型公共文化设施。

【两市交往】2006年11月16日，北京市与努尔苏丹市正式建立友好城市关系。结好以来，两市关系发展顺利。2011年，两市签署合作谅解备忘录。

人文交往：2008年，努尔苏丹市庆祝建都10周年之际，我市向哈方捐赠了长城雕塑，该雕塑在来自17个国家的20个标志性建筑雕塑中被评为精品。2017年，我市出席了2017阿斯塔纳世博会“北京周”开幕式及有关活动。2018年，我市出席了哈萨克斯坦迁都20周年庆祝活动。

文化艺术：2011年，努尔苏丹市在国家大剧院举办了文艺演出和展览活动，哈方近200人参加演出，演出活动受到北京市民的欢迎。

（Source: Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing Municipal Government）