Chinese premier arrives in Kyrgyzstan for SCO meeting, visit

Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends a grand welcome ceremony held by Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov at Manas International Airport in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Oct. 24, 2023. Li Qiang arrived here on Tuesday to attend the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States, and pay an official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic from Tuesday to Friday at the invitation of Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov. [Photo by Yin Bogu/Xinhua]

BISHKEK, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived here on Tuesday to attend the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States, and pay an official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic from Tuesday to Friday at the invitation of Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov.

"China is ready to work with Kyrgyzstan to fully implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen political and strategic mutual trust, create more new highlights and new benchmarks for cooperation, and enrich the China-Kyrgyzstan friendship with more connotation of the times," Li said during a brief meeting with Japarov at the airport.

The Chinese side looks forward to working with other SCO members to jointly carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, and inject new impetus into regional peace, stability and development, he added.

Li said since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Kyrgyzstan have always been working in solidarity, helping each other, cooperating based on mutual benefits and win-win results, and have made fruitful achievements in various areas, as well as achieved close and highly efficient coordination on international affairs.

China and Kyrgyzstan are truly good neighbors, good friends, good partners and good brothers, Li said.

"The goal of my visit to Kyrgyzstan is to enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation, deepen friendship, and promote peace," he said.

For his part, Japarov warmly welcomed Li's visit to Kyrgyzstan and spoke highly of the positive development momentum of bilateral ties. The Kyrgyz side is willing to enhance exchanges in various fields with the Chinese side, push forward the Belt and Road cooperation, elevate the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era to new heights, and jointly promote Central Asia's stability and development, he said.

As Li's chartered plane arrived at Manas International Airport in Bishkek Tuesday afternoon, Japarov and senior Kyrgyz government officials met him at the airport. Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Du Dewen also greeted him at the airport.

Japarov held a grand welcome ceremony for Li at the airport. A military band played the national anthems of both countries. Li, accompanied by Japarov, reviewed the honor guard.

Chinese State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Wu Zhenglong also attended the meeting.