Li: ‘New chapter’ in Sino-Kyrgz relations

China is willing to align the Belt and Road Initiative with Kyrgyzstan's development strategy and further promote connectivity cooperation between the two countries, Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday.

Li made the remarks when he met with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Mukhammedkaliy Abylgaziyev on the sidelines of the 17th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government in the Tajik city of Dushanbe.

He said that China and Kyrgyzstan have long been respecting one another as friendly neighboring countries. Bilateral relations have opened a new chapter since presidents of the two countries agreed in June to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership, and China is willing to enhance high-level exchanges with Kyrgyzstan to further develop bilateral relations and create more benefits for people of both countries.

Noting that China and Kyrgyzstan have huge potential for cooperation and are highly complementary in economic development, Li said China encourages competent Chinese enterprises to invest in Kyrgyzstan and hopes that Kyrgyzstan can facilitate the work and living of these firms and employees. He also called for further enhancing bilateral cooperation in culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

Abylgaziyev said that Kyrgyzstan and China have maintained close high-level exchanges and high-level mutual trust. He said Kyrgyzstan firmly supports the one-China policy and actively participates in the Belt and Road Initiative, and resolutely fights against the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism.

He added that the country is willing to further cooperation with China in trade, investment, agriculture and tourism.