Chinese President Xi Jinping and his visiting Kyrgyz counterpart Sooronbai Jeenbekov have signed a joint communique. This boosts ties from a strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Both leaders also witnessed the signing of over ten cooperation deals, covering fields such as business and trade, energy, human resources and media cooperation.

A grand welcome ceremony was held just before the two leaders' meeting. This is Jeenbekov's first visit to China, since his inauguration as president last November. He will also attend this weekend's SCO summit in Qingdao, where he is expected to boost ties with other SCO members and participants.

SOORONBAY JEENBEKOV KYRGYZ PRESIDENT "We often say that neighbors are better than distant relatives. We also support this proposition in foreign policy. China is our strategic partner, our close friend, our neighbor. We are very proud. We highly value our good-neighbor relations."

"China is Kyrgyzstan's largest trading partner and one of the major investors. We cherish China's investment in Kyrgyzstan and we hope that the Chinese enterprises in Kyrgyzstan have a free environment for investment and business. We have comprehensive laws to protect the interests of investors. And the laws are in line with international standards. We keep moving along this direction."

"Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Kyrgyzstan, great achievements have been made in the development of bilateral relations. Bilateral friendly relations develop smoothly. We have established a relationship of mutual trust and cooperation. The cooperation in various fields has achieved development in an all-around way. During my visit to China, I eagerly look forward to a meeting with President Xi Jinping and I believe our meeting will bring the relationship between Kyrgyzstan and China to a new level."