(SCO Tianjin Summit)"Laowai" in China | Kazakh ophthalmologist witnesses China-Kazakhstan lasting friendship in Daqing

HARBIN, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Saulebek Kabylbekov is a 66-year-old Kazakh ophthalmologist at Daqing Ophthalmology Hospital who could communicate with patients fluently in a northeastern Chinese dialect.

Saulebek Kabylbekov (2nd R) shakes hands with a patient at Daqing Ophthalmology Hospital in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Saulebek Kabylbekov (R) escorts a patient out at Daqing Ophthalmology Hospital in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Qiming)

Saulebek Kabylbekov (L) conducts examination for a patient at Daqing Ophthalmology Hospital in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Saulebek Kabylbekov (C) communicates with patients at Daqing Ophthalmology Hospital in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Saulebek Kabylbekov (L) conducts examination for a patient at Daqing Ophthalmology Hospital in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

In the 1990s, as an outstanding young ophthalmologist of Kazakhstan, Saulebek visited China multiple times for work and academic exchanges. In 1998, when Daqing Ophthalmology Hospital was established, he came to provide technical assistance, introducing advanced ophthalmic technologies at that time.

This is a file photo of Saulebek Kabylbekov providing treatment for a patient in 1998. (Xinhua)

This is a file photo of Saulebek Kabylbekov (L) eating dumplings during the Spring Festival in China in 2002. (Xinhua)

Saulebek Kabylbekov conducts examination for a patient at Daqing Ophthalmology Hospital in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Saulebek Kabylbekov writes a medical record at Daqing Ophthalmology Hospital in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Qiming)

Having worked at the hospital for 27 years, he trained dozens of outstanding young doctors and treated many patients with eye diseases. In 2024, Saulebek was awarded the Chinese Government Friendship Award at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Saulebek Kabylbekov (R) instructs a young doctor in ophthalmic surgery training at Daqing Ophthalmology Hospital in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Saulebek Kabylbekov prepares to go to work at his apartment in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Saulebek Kabylbekov arrives at Daqing Ophthalmology Hospital in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Saulebek Kabylbekov is pictured at Daqing Ophthalmology Hospital in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

This year, Saulebek was granted the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card issued by the National Immigration Administration of China. "When I first arrived in China, my hair and beard were thick and black. Now they have turned white," he said, determined to uphold the patients' trust, "I will continue to work here as long as I can."

Saulebek Kabylbekov selects potatoes at a supermarket in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Saulebek Kabylbekov (L) talks with a friend at a supermarket in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Saulebek Kabylbekov looks at the photos of his daughter at his apartment in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Qiming)

Saulebek Kabylbekov makes a video call with his daughter at his apartment in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Saulebek Kabylbekov waters the plants at his apartment in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Saulebek Kabylbekov works out at a gym of Daqing Ophthalmology Hospital in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Saulebek Kabylbekov works out at the gym of Daqing Ophthalmology Hospital in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Saulebek Kabylbekov brings a potted plant to his apartment in Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)