FM meets with Kyrgyz counterpart

Visiting State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday that China would like to take the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to push forward its relations with Kyrgyzstan.

Wang made the remarks when meeting with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev in Nur-Sultan, capital of Kazakhstan. The two are in Kazakhstan to attend the third China + Central Asia foreign ministers' meeting.

As Kyrgyzstan's friendly neighbor, Wang said China supports Kyrgyzstan in maintaining political stability, social harmony and sustainable economic development.

Noting China is the most reliable and long-term strategic cooperative partner of Kyrgyzstan, Wang said China is ready to be steered by the important consensus of the two heads of state to advance sustainable development of bilateral ties.

For his part, Kulubaev said Kyrgyzstan makes upholding mutually beneficial friendship with China its foreign policy priority.

While pledging firm commitment to the one-China principle, Kulubaev said his country resolutely supports China's positions on issues related to Xinjiang and Hong Kong.

He said Kyrgyzstan is ready to bolster pragmatic cooperation with China spanning infrastructure, local exchanges, healthcare and epidemic control.

Both sides agreed to establish a local communication mechanism, work on adding ports and ensure continued and smooth flow of goods at existing ports.

The two sides plan to advance preparations for the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.

They will also promote mutual establishment of cultural centers and facilitate people-to-people exchanges.

Noting China and Central Asia have wide shared interests, the two sides agreed to develop the China+Central Asia cooperation mechanism.

The two sides held countries in the region should make joint efforts to tackle challenges brought by complicated changes in the international and regional situations, and run their own affairs well.

Countries need to strengthen solidarity and coordination with neighboring countries and reject attempts to meddle in the region, they agreed.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Afghan issue.