Xi Jinping holds talks with Kyrgyz President

 
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov held talks in Beijing on Wednesday, pledging high-quality Belt and Road cooperation for more win-win outcomes.Xi said China is willing to continue expanding its economic, trade and investment cooperation with Kyrgyzstan, and import more quality goods from the country, reports Xinhua.

China supports more Chinese enterprises in investing and starting businesses in Kyrgyzstan, and hopes that Kyrgyzstan will earnestly protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese investors, Xi said.On enhancing connectivity, Xi said both countries should contribute to the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway with high standards and high quality, renovate and modernize existing ports simultaneously, and open more passenger and freight flights to facilitate the flow of people and goods.

He also called on both sides to create new drivers for growth by expanding cooperation on cross-border e-commerce, big data and artificial intelligence.
Japarov said his country will work with China to build the Belt and Road with high quality, ensure the success of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, and advance cooperation in industry, investment, trade, transportation, e-commerce and education.The Central Asian leader's visit to China continues through Friday.He said China's modernization efforts would bring new opportunities not only to Kyrgyzstan, but also to the entire Central Asian region and other developing countries.

"At present, we need to strengthen economic and trade collaboration, diversify trade, and promote joint investment projects that align with our shared interests," he said.Japarov last visited China in 2023.China is Kyrgyzstan's largest trading partner and an important source of investment, and the bilateral trade volume last year climbed to $22.71 billion.

Separately, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Wednesday embarked on an official trip to China.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand.

Xi is expected to host Paetongtarn for bilateral talks as the two sides move to enhance bilateral ties, including further expanding economic cooperation.
Ahead of her trip, Paetongtarn's Cabinet approved phase II of the China-Thailand High-Speed Railway, a flagship infrastructure project under Beijing's trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative.

This would also be Southeast Asian country's first standard-gauge high-speed railway.

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