Deputy Prime Minister Erlist Akunbekov Meets China's Vice-Premier Ding Xuesian in Xinjiang

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources Erlist Akunbekov held talks with Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, during a working visit to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China.

The parties discussed the further development of Kyrgyz-Chinese cooperation and reaffirmed their readiness to sign new bilateral agreements during the upcoming meeting of the Kyrgyz-Chinese Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, as well as at the summit of the heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states, which will be held in Kyrgyzstan.

Erlist Akunbekov noted that his first visit to China as Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers is taking place against the backdrop of relations between the two countries reaching a qualitatively new level of comprehensive strategic partnership.

“Kyrgyzstan highly values its comprehensive strategic partnership with China. We value the high level of mutual trust established between the leaders of our countries—Sadyr Japarov and Xi Jinping. Regular high-level meetings confirm the dynamic development of our relations,” he said.

During the talks, special attention was paid to the implementation of major infrastructure projects. These include the construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, the opening of the third “Bedel” border crossing on the Kyrgyz-Chinese border, and the construction of the Barskoon–Bedel–Uchturfan–Aksu highway. According to both sides, these projects should strengthen transport connectivity and contribute to further growth in trade between the two countries.

Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, stated that the Chinese side is ready to support projects of mutual interest.

“The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is one of China’s largest regions. We will make every necessary effort to maintain the growth of mutual trade with Kyrgyzstan through this region and are interested in ensuring the smooth operation of border crossing points. The Chinese side is also ready to actively develop new areas of cooperation,” he emphasized.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue working on bilateral agreements, which are scheduled to be signed at upcoming high-level Kyrgyz-Chinese events.