Building on past cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday called on China and Kyrgyzstan to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation to better benefit the two peoples.

President Xi made the remarks when meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi pointed out that in the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have achieved leapfrog development with its high-level comprehensive strategic partnership.

China firmly supports the development path independently chosen by Kyrgyzstan and supports the country in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and security, he added.

The Chinese president stressed that China is willing to expand imports of high-quality green agricultural and sideline products from Kyrgyzstan, support more competent Chinese enterprises to invest in Kyrgyzstan, and speed up relevant key cooperation projects.

He also said China will continue to cooperate with Kyrgyzstan in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and provide more assistance to the Kyrgyz side for COVID-19 vaccines.

China is willing to enhance security cooperation with the Kyrgyz side and jointly maintain the security and stability of the two countries and the region, Xi said, adding the two sides should strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, and safeguard international justice and equity.

For his part, Zhaparov said Kyrgyz-Chinese relations are based on the true spirit of equality, mutual trust and mutual benefit.

The Kyrgyz side will continue to firmly support China's legitimate positions of safeguarding its core interests of sovereignty and security on issues related to Xinjiang, Taiwan and Hong Kong, he added.

The Kyrgyz president also believes that the Beijing Winter Olympics will bring more unity, friendship and hope to the people of the world.