As part of a working trip to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of China, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Japarov met with a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Communist Party of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Ma Xingrui. Press service of the Cabinet of Ministers reported.
During the talks, the parties considered a wide range of issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the field of energy, transport, logistics, postal services, agriculture, tourism, culture, and education. Akylbek Japarov conveyed greetings on behalf of the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov to the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping.
The head of the Cabinet noted the progressive development of Kyrgyzstan — China relations, and also stressed the importance of speedy implementation of the agreements reached during the state visit of Sadyr Japarov to China in May. Akylbek Japarov stressed the readiness of the Kyrgyz side to implement investment projects in Kyrgyzstan, including mentioning the construction of China — Kyrgyzstan — Uzbekistan railway.
The parties paid special attention to the issue of modernization of Irkeshtam and Torugart checkpoints.
Akylbek Japarov noted the need to optimize the activities of two checkpoints, including by expanding their capacity, reconstructing and expanding the road, as well as issuing driver visas. In addition, the parties discussed the possibility of opening a new Bedel checkpoint on the Kyrgyz-Chinese border and building Barskoon — Uchturfan — Ak-Suu road.
The parties noted the presence of good prospects in the implementation of projects for the development of hydropower and projects in the field of renewable energy sources.
«The issue of establishing close cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and China, in particular with the XUAR, in the field of energy is a top priority. The Kyrgyz side is interested in the joint implementation of the project for the construction of a hydroelectric power station on Sary-Jaz river,» Akylbek Japarov said.
In the context of discussion of issues of cross-border commerce and trade, the partied discussed the possibilities of creating trade and logistics complexes and places of duty-free border trade (bond zones) in Naryn region and in Sary-Tash area of Alai district, Osh region.
In addition, the head of the Cabinet expressed the interest of the Kyrgyz side in close cooperation with China and Xinjiang companies in developing e-commerce and postal services, providing an accelerated «green corridor», simplifying the quarantine access of domestic products to the Chinese market, equipping phytosanitary and veterinary laboratories with advanced equipment.
Akylbek Japarov suggested the Chinese side to create a joint tourism product under Great Silk Road brand and expressed gratitude for the decision of the XUAR government to allocate 25 quotas for state-funded education of students from Kyrgyzstan in higher educational institutions of the XUAR.
Secretary of the Party Committee of the Communist Party of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China Ma Xingrui noted that Kyrgyzstan is a friendly neighbor of China.
«Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is geographically close to Kyrgyzstan, and we are ready to deepen cooperation in the field of energy, green economy, postal service, and e-commerce. We are also interested in import of products from Kyrgyzstan to XUAR and are ready to support projects aimed at strengthening economic and humanitarian ties. It is also necessary to increase the number of flights between our countries,» Ma Xingrui said.
He stressed the importance of this visit in the light of the upcoming participation of the Kyrgyz side in the China-Eurasia EXPO and the organization of Kyrgyz-Chinese Business Forum.
As a result of the negotiations, the parties signed a number of agreements and documents between the state bodies of Kyrgyzstan and the XUAR.
