Negotiations were held in an expanded format between the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic - Head of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Zhaparov and the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang.

During the extensive discussions, various aspects of comprehensive cooperation were addressed, including trade, economics, energy, finance, transport and transit, agricultural and economic spheres, education, and science. There was also a substantial exchange of views on the implementation of agreements reached during previous high-level visits.

The Head of the Cabinet of Ministers described the state visit of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic to the People's Republic of China as "the most significant event of 2023" and emphasized that the joint efforts of the two heads of state have elevated bilateral relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership in this new era.

Subsequently, the parties began discussing the agenda of the negotiations in an expanded format.

The Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers pointed out that China is one of Kyrgyzstan's primary trade, economic, and investment partners and expressed an interest in pursuing joint economic projects.

Furthermore, he noted the increasing growth in mutual trade and the substantial investments made by Chinese partners in the Kyrgyzstan economy, amounting to over $102 million from January to June 2023.

In the context of discussing cooperation in the transportation and infrastructure sector, the Head of the Cabinet of Ministers placed particular emphasis on the implementation of the largest project for the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.

"The construction of this railway will play a pivotal role in the realization of the Chinese President's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative, which the Kyrgyz Republic wholeheartedly supported early on," emphasized Akylbek Zhaparov. He added that a feasibility study of the project, confirming its technical and economic viability, has been developed through joint financing.   

Further, Akylbek Zhaparov noted that the full functioning of the Torugart and Irkeshtam checkpoints is the main factor for further increasing mutual trade between the two countries. He suggested considering the possibility of carrying out road improvement works to the Kyrgyz village of Nura at the Irkeshtam checkpoint for 5 km and to the Torugart post for 7.5 km.

To ensure the uninterrupted operation of the Irkeshtam and Torugart checkpoints and to increase their cargo capacity, the Kyrgyz side proposed switching to a daily and round-the-clock operation of the checkpoints in a 24/7 mode.

The Head of the Cabinet of Ministers also expressed readiness for closer cooperation and joint efforts to open a new crossing point "Bedel" on the Kyrgyz-Chinese border and to construct the highway "Barskoon-Uchturfan-Aksu."

Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers paid special attention to energy cooperation, highlighting priority projects such as the development of hydropower, including the construction of a cascade of hydroelectric power plants on the Sary-Zhaz River, the Verkhne-Naryn cascade of hydroelectric power plants, the Kambaratinskaya HPP-1, and the Suusamyr-Kokomerensky cascade of hydroelectric power plants.

As new mechanisms for bilateral economic cooperation, the Head of the Cabinet of Ministers mentioned the creation of an economic development zone around border areas through the establishment of international trade centers with a duty-free border trade model and comprehensive bonded zones.

Furthermore, to boost the export of domestic agricultural products to the Chinese market, the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers proposed establishing veterinary and phytosanitary laboratories at the checkpoints on the Kyrgyz-Chinese state border.

One of the significant topics brought up by the Head of the Cabinet of Ministers was the issue of visa liberalization for citizens of both countries through the introduction of a short-term visa-free regime on a reciprocal basis. He also added that Kyrgyzstan, on its part, is unilaterally starting to implement a visa-free regime for citizens of China's special administrative regions - Hong Kong and Macau, for up to 30 days.

In the context of discussing matters in the field of education, the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers emphasized that the number of people studying the Chinese language in Kyrgyzstan is increasing annually, and currently, more than 2 thousand citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic are studying in Chinese universities through various programs.

The Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers has designated cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and China as one of the main directions of bilateral interaction.

"Kyrgyzstan and China share a centuries-old history and culture dating back to the time of the Great Silk Road. The long history of our cultural interaction reflects deep ties between the people of our countries, which continue to strengthen year by year," stated the Head of the Cabinet of Ministers. He expressed readiness to foster cooperation in the realms of culture, art, and cinema.

In response, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Li Qiang, underlined that China has been and remains a dependable partner for Kyrgyzstan. He also expressed full willingness to provide practical support for projects of mutual interest. 

"We are not just good neighbors bound by a thousand-year friendship and a shared border; we are, above all, brothers and partners," declared Li Qiang.

Furthermore, he emphasized the readiness to practically advance long-term relations with Kyrgyzstan and underscored the importance of strengthening political mutual trust.

 The Premier of the State Council also put forward a range of proposals aimed at developing Kyrgyz-Chinese cooperation.

In the context of trade and economic collaboration, the Premier of the State Council noted that China aspires to reach a historical peak in joint trade turnover. Additionally, Li Qiang stressed the Chinese side's readiness to deepen cooperation in the agricultural sector.

Within this framework, the Premier of the State Council expressed the Chinese side's interest in importing organic products from the Kyrgyz Republic to the Chinese market. He added that agricultural fairs, EXPO, and similar venues could be excellent ways to present domestic products to the Chinese market. 

"Our 'gates' are open to Kyrgyz partners, and we can jointly utilize these platforms," proclaimed Li Qiang.

In addition, he outlined the position of the Chinese side on the construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, noting that joint efforts have completed work on the development of a feasibility study of the project, and work is underway to coordinate the financial model for the implementation of this project. 

Further, he touched upon the issues of cooperation in the field of transport, infrastructure, and industry. In this context, Li Qiang expressed readiness to practically promote the project for the construction of a new checkpoint "Bedel" and to take measures to increase the capacity of the checkpoints "Torugart" and "Irkeshtam".

 In terms of cultural and humanitarian cooperation, the readiness to develop cooperation in the field of cultural exchange, educational programs for students of the two countries, as well as in the implementation of projects aimed at bringing the peoples of the two states closer together was noted. 

The Prime Minister of the State Council expressed gratitude to the Kyrgyz side for organizing a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states, which will be held on October 26 this year in Bishkek. 

"The beauty of nature and the hospitality of the friendly Kyrgyz people have left a deep impression in my heart. I am very happy to be in Kyrgyzstan," Li Qiang concluded. 

After the talks between Akylbek Zhaparov and Li Qian, members of the delegations of the two countries signed a number of documents and agreements.