Shanghai Cooperation Summit kicks off

The leaders of many Asian and Pacific countries arrived to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Summit in China, June 5, 2012.
On the sidelines of the Summit Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with his Kyrgyz counterpart, Almazbek Atambayev, in Beijing on Tuesday,  raising a five-point proposal on promoting bilateral pragmatic cooperation.

Noting that bilateral relations had maintained healthy and stable development since the establishment of bilateral ties 20 years ago, Hu said China attached great importance to ties with Kyrgyzstan.

China would continue supporting Kyrgyzstan’s independent choice of its development path and would work with Kyrgyzstan to promote the development of bilateral ties, so as to benefit people in both countries, Hu said.

The Chinese president suggested the two countries step up cross-border infrastructure construction, including the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and highway.

He called on the two sides to strengthen electric power cooperation, and push forward the construction of cooperative projects, including power grid upgrades in Kyrgyzstan and joint projects on trans-boundary water and electricity.

Calling on the two sides to enhance cooperation in the areas of law enforcement and security, he also expressed hope that they could improve investment environment, boost mutual investment and encourage cooperation at local levels.

Atambayev said he appreciated China’s sincere support for its sovereignty, independence, stability and development, noting that Kyrgyzstan was willing to work with China to boost bilateral ties.

Kyrgyzstan hoped to expand economic and trade cooperation with China, step up consultation on railway and highway projects, and push forward joint work in areas of transportation, electricity, agriculture, mining and light industry, Atambayev said.

He said Kyrgyzstan would continue supporting China on issues concerning its core interests and major concerns, and work with China to combat the “three evil forces” of terrorism, separatism and extremism, so as to safeguard regional peace and stability.

On Tuesday morning, Hu held a red-carpet ceremony to welcome Atambayev at the Great Hall of the People before their formal talks.
After the talks, the two leaders signed a joint declaration and witnessed a signing of bilateral cooperative documents.

The Kyrgyz president arrived in Beijing on Monday evening. During his stay in China, Atambayev will attend the 12th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, scheduled to be held in Beijing on Wednesday and Thursday.

China and Russia on Tuesday pledged to further boost cooperation as President Hu Jintao and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held talks in Beijing.

“The China-Russia relationship has maintained a positive, healthy and stable momentum of development over the recent years with the two sides’ joint efforts,” said the Chinese president.

Hu said he and Putin have agreed to take it as a diplomatic priority to further develop ties between the two nations.
Before the formal talks, Hu and Putin held a close-door meeting on some major issues.

Prior to the meeting, Hu held a red-carpet welcoming ceremony for Putin at the Great Hall of the People.

Invited by Hu, Putin is paying a state visit to China from June 5 to 7. He will attend the 12th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the SCO scheduled to be held in Beijing on Wednesday to Thursday. <Cihan/Xinhua>

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