China, Kyrgyzstan upgrade ties to boost cooperation

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Kyrgyz counterpart Sooronbai Jeenbekov signed a joint communique on Wednesday in Beijing to boost their ties from a strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Xi stressed that the upgrade of ties represents a milestone in the history of China-Kyrgyz relationship, providing new impetus to the further advancement of the relations.

Xi made the remarks at a meeting with the visiting Kyrgyz president on Wednesday.

President Xi Jinping (C) listens to Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbai Jeenbekov during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, June 6, 2018. /Reuters Photo

This is Jeenbekov’s first visit to China since his inauguration as president in November 2017.

He is also scheduled to attend a high-level summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Qingdao.

During the meeting, Xi pointed out that Kyrgyzstan is one of the first countries that supported and participated in the Belt and Road Initiative.

He suggested the two countries explore new ideas to strengthen coordination in strategic development and policies, look for more common grounds to gain profits and growth, well plan key cooperative projects and areas, and expand trade and investment.

This is Jeenbekov’s first visit to China since his inauguration as president in November 2017. /Reuters Photo

The Chinese president also emphasized the necessity of improving security collaboration with Kyrgyzstan, in an effort to combat the three evil forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as organized cross-border crimes.

For his part, Jeenbekov echoed Xi on his proposals on more pragmatic cooperation in areas including economy, trade, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

He said Kyrgyzstan views its relationship with China as a priority, and will always be China's most reliable neighbor, partner and friend.

Jeenbekov also expressed his support for the one-China policy and the Belt and Road Initiative.

President Xi Jingping and his Kyrgyz counterpart Sooronbai Jeenbekov review the PLA Military Guards of Honor in Beijing, China, June 6, 2018. /CGTN Photo

Both leaders witnessed the signing of over ten cooperative deals, covering fields such as business, trade, energy, human resources and media cooperation.

Before the meeting, a grand welcome ceremony was held for Jeenbekov with a review of the military guard of honor and a military band performance.

It was the first of its kind, after China made several changes to the procedure of welcome ceremonies for state visits, including reorganizing the arrival routes of visiting guests to let them pass Tiananmen Square, and creating a separate team for the female members of the Honor Guard.

(CGTN's Zheng Yibing also contributed to this story)