China's Xi discusses bilateral ties, trade with Kyrgyz, Tajik counterparts

By Islamuddin Sajid and Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan/ ISTANBUL, Türkiye​​​​​​​ (AA) – China's President Xi Jinping met with his counterparts from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on Thursday in Xi'an, China's northwestern Shaanxi province, to discuss bilateral relations and trade, a day before the start of the first China-Central Asia Summit.

The Central Asian leaders arrived in China on state visits and will attend the two-day China-Central Asia Summit, which will begin on Friday in the city.

During his meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, the Chines president welcomed him for the summit and his state visit to China and said their previous meetings produced important common understanding between the two countries' relations and cooperation in various areas, according to an official statement issued by the Foreign Ministry.

"These common understandings are being implemented effectively, providing strong momentum for the bilateral relations," Xi said.

He added that China is ready to work with Kyrgyzstan to build a China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future of good neighborliness and shared prosperity, carry out cooperation in all dimensions, and contribute to the development and vitalization of both countries.

In a separate meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, the Chinese president said their bilateral relations have progressed from good neighbors to a strategic partnership, and then to a comprehensive strategic partnership, according to state-run Xinhua News Agency.

He also assured Rahmon that China is ready to work with Tajikistan under the new circumstances to enhance cooperation in various areas.

On Wednesday, Xi hosted Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for bilateral talks.

According to a joint statement released by Beijing, "Kazakhstan firmly adheres to the one-China principle, reaffirms that the government of the People's Republic of China is the only legal government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. All efforts made by the Chinese government to realize the peaceful reunification of the country."

The China-Central Asia summit will be attended by presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Serdar Berdimuhammedov, respectively, in addition to Zhaparov and Rahmon, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

The summit is expected to discuss the enhancement of economic cooperation, security issues, and the Ukraine crisis.

According to details released by Beijing, total trade between China and Central Asian nations reached a historic high of $70.2 billion last year.

Furthermore, the China-Central Asia pipeline delivered 43.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas to China last year, while Beijing's imports of energy, agricultural, and mineral products increased by around 50%.

Imports of mechanical and electronic products from China by the five Central Asian nations also rose by around 42% last year.​​​​​​​