Xi calls for more trade with Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK - Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed here Wednesday that his country and Kyrgyzstan work together to boost trade between China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and the Central Asian country.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Zhantoro Satybaldiyev.

The Chinese president said the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries is in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples.

Relevant departments of the two sides should step up their communication, promote two-way trade, and enhance cooperation in agriculture, customs and interconnectivity, he said.

He also hoped that Kyrgyzstan will further improve its investment environment and create favorable conditions for Chinese firms.

For his part, Satybaldiyev said his government will actively implement the agreements the heads of state of the two countries have reached and further expand bilateral cooperation.

Stressing that his country welcomes Chinese investment, he said Kyrgyzstan is ready to work with China to properly carry out such big projects as the China-Central Asia gas pipeline.

He also called for joint efforts to promote infrastructure cooperation and boost exchanges between the two countries' border areas.

Xi arrived here Tuesday for a state visit to Kyrgyzstan, the last stop of his ongoing overseas tour, which has taken him to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and a Group of 20 summit in the Russian city of St. Petersburg.

The Chinese president will also attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit to be held here later this week.