Xi Jinping calls on China and Kyrgyzstan to open a new chapter in the high-quality development of bilateral relations
Good-neighborly relations are built not only through political agreements, but also through trust, mutual support and the steady accumulation of shared experience. For China and Kyrgyzstan, decades of cooperation have created a foundation for deeper partnership and common development.
On Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on China and Kyrgyzstan to work together to open a new chapter in the high-quality development of bilateral relations. He made the remarks in a signed article titled “Jointly Opening New Prospects for the High-Quality Development of China-Kyrgyzstan Relations,” published by the Kyrgyz newspapers Slovo Kyrgyzstana and Kabar ahead of his state visit to Kyrgyzstan and participation in the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek.
Xi noted that this year marks the 35th anniversary of Kyrgyzstan’s independence and extended congratulations and best wishes to the Kyrgyz people. He described China and Kyrgyzstan as “good neighbors,” “good partners” and “good friends,” emphasizing that their ties have deep historical roots dating back to the ancient Silk Road.
He said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have adhered to the principles of mutual respect, good-neighborliness, mutual learning and mutual benefit. In February 2025, Xi and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov reached important understandings on further deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era and building a China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future.
Xi highlighted the continued expansion of economic and trade cooperation. According to the article, China has for many years been Kyrgyzstan’s largest trading partner and largest source of foreign investment. He pointed to major joint projects, including construction of the Kyrgyz section of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, improvements in transport infrastructure and the growing number of direct flights between the two countries.
Humanitarian cooperation was also highlighted. China has established a Luban Workshop, four Confucius Institutes and 21 Confucius Classrooms in Kyrgyzstan. The two sides are also expanding cooperation in healthcare, culture, education and tourism. Last year, the number of mutual visits between the two countries exceeded 400,000.
Xi also emphasized cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan on regional and international security. He said the two countries share similar positions on upholding international justice and promoting open and inclusive development, while working closely through the SCO and other multilateral frameworks.
Looking ahead, Xi called for stronger good-neighborly relations and friendship, mutually beneficial cooperation, traditional people-to-people exchanges and multilateralism. He identified the digital economy, clean energy and artificial intelligence among promising areas of cooperation, alongside continued progress on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.
Xi also praised Kyrgyzstan’s work during its SCO presidency and expressed confidence that the SCO summit in Bishkek would provide fresh momentum for cooperation among member states. Concluding his article, he cited a Kyrgyz proverb meaning “Drop by drop, a lake is formed” and a Chinese saying that “without small streams, there would be no great rivers,” stressing China’s readiness to work with Kyrgyzstan to open new prospects for bilateral relations.
As reported by CCTV+, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on China and Kyrgyzstan to strengthen mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly open new prospects for the high-quality development of bilateral relations. He made the remarks in a signed article published by the Kyrgyz newspapers Slovo Kyrgyzstana and Kabar ahead of his state visit to Kyrgyzstan and participation in the 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek.
