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China and Kyrgyzstan have reached consensus on building a community of shared future, agreeing to strengthen bilateral strategic cooperation and advancing high-quality Belt and Road projects, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said after meeting with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev in Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan on Saturday. 

China-Kyrgyzstan relations have gone through trials and hardships, and have become genuine good neighbors, friends, partners and brothers under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state. China is willing to take the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Kyrgyzstan as an opportunity to open up a brighter future for bilateral cooperation, Wang said. 

The comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Kyrgyzstan should be pushed to a higher level, they said. Eyeing China-Kyrgyzstan relations in the next 30 years, the two reached a consensus on building a China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future. 

Regarding how to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Wang and Kulubaev said they are ready to launch China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railroad, which they called as a strategic project for regional interconnectivity. The first batch of Chinese expert teams have arrived in Kyrgyzstan recently to start survey relating to railway construction. 

The two countries will also speed up other major and livelihood projects in Kyrgyzstan such as canals and road networks. To facilitate flow of people and goods between the two countries, they agreed to set up new border ports. New growth points in fields such as ecological agriculture, e-commerce, cross-border payment, and green energy will be nurtured to build a "green silk road" for new pattern of common development.

Kulubaev also expressed hopes for simpler customs procedures, more flights and more returnees of Kyrgyz students. He thanked China for setting up the Luban Workshop, a Chinese-aided skill and technology training project, in Kyrgyzstan, to help his country cultivate more professionals. 

Wang said China is willing to import more green and high-quality agricultural and livestock products from Kyrgyzstan. The current economic and trade exchanges between the two countries have grown against the trend, exceeding level prior to the epidemic.

To address regional and international challenges, the two foreign ministers both confirmed China-proposed Global Development Initiative (GDI) and Global Security Initiative for stability and development of Central Asia. 

Global Times