Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday hailed relations between China and Kyrgyzstan, calling for working with other SCO members to inject new impetus into regional peace, stability and development. 

Li made the remarks when arriving in Kyrgyzstan to attend the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States and pay an official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic from Tuesday to Friday, at the invitation of Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov.

Stressing that the two countries are truly "good neighbors, good friends, good partners and good brothers," Li said that the goal of this visit to Kyrgyzstan is "to enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation, deepen friendship, and promote peace."

"The Chinese side looks forward to working with other SCO members to jointly carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, and inject new impetus into regional peace, stability and development," he said during a brief meeting with Japarov at the airport.

"China is ready to work with Kyrgyzstan to fully implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen political and strategic mutual trust, create more new highlights and new benchmarks for cooperation, and enrich the China-Kyrgyzstan friendship with more connotation of the times," Li said.

Li said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Kyrgyzstan have always been working in solidarity, helping each other, cooperating on the basis of mutual benefits and win-win results, and have made fruitful achievements in various areas, as well as achieved close and highly efficient coordination on international affairs.

For his part, Japarov warmly welcomed Li's visit to Kyrgyzstan and spoke highly of the positive development momentum of bilateral ties. The Kyrgyz side is willing to enhance exchanges in various fields with the Chinese side, push forward the Belt and Road cooperation, elevate the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era to new heights, and jointly promote Central Asia's stability and development, he said.

As Li's chartered plane arrived at Manas International Airport in Bishkek Tuesday afternoon, Japarov and senior Kyrgyz government officials met him at the airport. Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Du Dewen also greeted him at the airport.

Japarov held a grand welcome ceremony for Li at the airport. A military band played the national anthems of both countries. Li, accompanied by Japarov, reviewed the honor guard.

(With input from Xinhua)