Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev takes questions of Chinese netizens during the exclusive interview with Xinhuanet in Shanghai, May 20, 2014. (Xinhuanet photo)

BEIJING, May 20 (Xinhuanet) -- The Silk Road started the economic collaboration among Kazakhstan, China and other central Asian countries in the past and it will enhance the understanding and cooperation among those countries in the future, said Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev during an online interview with Xinhuanet held Tuesday in Shanghai.

The great Silk Road has connected Kazakhstan and China together for hundreds of years. It ties Europe with China through central Asia and Kazakhstan. It is a pathway linking the east to the west. It not only serves as a road for silk trade, but also enhances the communication among nations, said Nazarbayev, who is on a state visit to China from May 19 to 22.

During his stay in Shanghai, he will attend the fourth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

The fourth CICA summit is scheduled to be held in Shanghai on Tuesday and Wednesday, drawing 11 heads of state, one government head and 10 chiefs of international organizations.

The summit was established in 1992 as a forum for dialogue and consultations. It now has 24 member countries and 13 observers.