Chinese premier arrives in Bishkek for SCO meeting

BISHKEK - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived here Tuesday to attend the 11th prime ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and pay an official visit to Kyrgyzstan.

In a written speech delivered at the airport, Wen said the two friendly neighbors had enjoyed and benefited from cooperation since they forged diplomatic relations two decades ago.

The two countries had become good neighbors, friends and partners, he said.

Wen said he would meet Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev and Prime Minister Zhantoro Satybaldiyev to discuss consolidating the traditional China-Kyrgyzstan friendship, broadening win-win cooperation in all spheres and global and regional issues of common concern.

The Kyrgyz government had worked hard to prepare for the SCO meeting, Wen said, adding he believed the meeting would inject dynamics into the SCO with the support of its member states.

After the visit, Wen will fly to Russia and hold talks with Russian leaders on the promotion of bilateral ties.