Xi Jinping holds talks with President Sooronbay Jeenbekov of Kyrgyzstan

On June 13, 2019 local time, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Sooronbay Jeenbekov of Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek. The two heads of state spoke highly of the development of China-Kyrgyzstan relations and the results of cooperation in all fields, and agreed to take the China-Kyrgyzstan comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China-Kyrgyzstan relations have withstood the test of international vicissitudes and achieved leapfrog development over the past 27 years since the establishment of the diplomatic relations. The two countries have set a fine example of a new type of state-to-state relations featuring mutual respect, equal cooperation as well as mutual benefit and win-win results. I appreciate Mr. President's firm stand on being friendly with China. The Chinese side will continue to support Kyrgyzstan's own choice of development path, and the domestic and foreign policies taken by the Kyrgyz government to safeguard national independence, sovereignty and security. The Chinese side is ready to join hands with the Kyrgyz side to carry forward the ever-lasting traditional friendship and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to better benefit the two peoples. As long as we unswervingly support each other and unremittingly promote cooperation in all fields, both China and Kyrgyzstan will be on a broader road of common development and prosperity.

Xi Jinping stressed that jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative has become the focus of China-Kyrgyzstan cooperation. Under the new circumstance, both sides should deepen the alignment of their development strategies, tap into new potential for cooperation and explore new space for cooperation. Cooperation in trade and investment should be expanded and major cooperation programs must be well implemented. The Chinese side is willing to import more green and quality agricultural products from Kyrgyzstan. The Chinese side will continue to support Kyrgyzstan's economic and social development, and work with the Kyrgyz side to implement more projects to improve people's livelihood, including building drinking water facilities, roads, and hospitals. The two sides should carry out closer people-to-people and cultural as well as sub-national exchanges, and improve and upgrade sub-national cooperation between the two countries. Both countries should enhance security cooperation comprehensively, step up the fight against the "three forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism, transnational organized crime and drug trafficking.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the Chinese side applauds Kyrgyzstan's efforts to promote cooperation in various fields since taking over the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The Chinese side supports the Kyrgyz side in well hosting the Bishkek summit, and is willing to take the summit as an opportunity to encourage all sides to gather more consensus, fully unleash the potential of cooperation and jointly build a community with a shared future that benefits all.

Sooronbay Jeenbekov welcomed President Xi Jinping's visit to Kyrgyzstan again, saying that I have met with President Xi Jinping for three times in more than a year, fully demonstrating the high level of the bilateral relations and the willingness of both sides to strengthen cooperation. Kyrgyzstan is China's ever-lasting good neighbor, good friend and good partner. Sooronbay Jeenbekov congratulated the People's Republic of China (PRC) on its 70th anniversary and on the remarkable achievements made by the Chinese people under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party of China (CPC), and wished great China more prosperity. President Xi Jinping's vision and experience on state governance are of great significance to Kyrgyzstan's development. The Kyrgyz side thanks the Chinese side for its long-term and huge assistance and support in Kyrgyzstan's national development and the improvement of the people's livelihood. The Kyrgyz side firmly adheres to the one-China policy, believes that the affairs of ethnic minorities in China are China's internal affairs, and supports the policies and measures taken by the Chinese government in this regard. Like the Chinese side, the Kyrgyz side stays committed to the fight against the "three forces". Kyrgyzstan's national development strategy corresponds to the Belt and Road Initiative. The Kyrgyz side stands ready to set up institutionalized arrangements to promote the alignment with the Chinese side, deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, agriculture, transport and cooperation at local levels, and increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Both Kyrgyzstan and China hold similar stances on international and regional issues, laying a sound foundation for the two sides to advance multilateral coordination. The Kyrgyz side appreciates the Chinese side for its precious support to Kyrgyzstan during its SCO presidency and in hosting the Bishkek summit.

Xi Jinping thanked Sooronbay Jeenbekov for his congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, and pointed out that at the anniversary moment, the CPC is encouraging all Party members to remain true to their original aspirations and keep their mission firmly in mind. Despite the achievements already made, there is no room for complacency. Instead, we have every confidence in progressing along the long march of the new era.

After the talks, the two heads of state signed a joint statement on further deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, and witnessed the exchanges of bilateral cooperation documents.

The two heads of state also jointly met the press.

Before the talks, Sooronbay Jeenbekov held a grand welcome ceremony for Xi Jinping at the square in front of the conference hall of Ala-Archa state guest house.

Bishkek enjoys bright sunshine and clear sky in June.

Upon arrival at the square by car, Xi Jinping was warmly welcomed by Sooronbay Jeenbekov. The two heads of state walked onto the review stand and the military band played the national anthems of China and Kyrgyzstan. The two heads of state reviewed the guard of honor. Xi Jinping walked to the center of the guard of honor and greeted them in Kyrgyz and the guard of honor welcomed him in Kyrgyz as a response. Xi Jinping watched the march-past together with Sooronbay Jeenbekov.

Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and others attended the above activities.