In a significant move to strengthen regional cooperation, Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Zhaparov on Tuesday during the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The leaders pledged to consolidate mutual support and deepen high-quality collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Premier Li emphasized the importance of China and Kyrgyzstan remaining reliable partners in development and revitalization. \"China is ready to work with Kyrgyzstan to set and develop the bilateral relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective,\" Li stated, highlighting the commitment to enhance connectivity and accelerate infrastructure improvements, including ports and transportation networks.
Referring to the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in Astana in July, Li noted that the groundwork has been laid for building a closer China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future. \"We look forward to cementing and deepening bilateral collaboration in various fields to promote common development and prosperity,\" he added.
The discussions also focused on expanding cooperation in emerging sectors such as new energy, cross-border e-commerce, big data, and artificial intelligence. Premier Li called for deepening exchanges in culture, tourism, education, and health, aiming to strengthen the bond between the two nations for generations to come.
\"China stands ready to continue implementing the outcomes of last year's China-Central Asia Summit together with Kyrgyzstan,\" Li said. He urged for strengthened communication and cooperation within the SCO framework to promote regional peace, stability, and development, embodying the \"Shanghai Spirit.\"
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Zhaparov expressed gratitude for China's support in Kyrgyzstan's economic and social development. \"Kyrgyzstan attaches great importance to its relations with China,\" Zhaparov remarked. He emphasized the desire to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and deepen Belt and Road cooperation.
Zhaparov highlighted key areas for collaboration, including the advancement of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, and cooperation in port construction, connectivity, finance, mining, education, and tourism. \"We aim to inject stronger impetus into the development of the Kyrgyzstan-China comprehensive strategic partnership,\" he said.
The Kyrgyz Prime Minister reaffirmed support for the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the three global initiatives proposed by President Xi. \"We stand ready to work with China to strengthen multilateral coordination, boost cooperation between China and Central Asian countries, and jointly promote regional peace and prosperity,\" Zhaparov concluded.
Reference(s):
China to consolidate mutual support with Kyrgyzstan: Premier Li
cgtn.com
