Visit to Central Asian countries boosts stability, cooperation: Chinese FM

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, July 29, 2022. (China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Handout via Xinhua)

During Wang's visit to Central Asia, the Chinese side exchanged views with his colleagues from Central Asian countries on how to deepen and consolidate cooperation between China and the five Central Asian countries.

DUSHANBE, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday had an interview with media after concluding his visit to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

During his visit, Wang attended the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, during which he reached broad consensus with foreign ministers of SCO member states and achieved the expected goals.

Wang said this year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the SCO Charter and the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Long-Term Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation of the SCO Member States, which is of great significance to the organization.

During the meeting, Wang said he had in-depth exchanges with his counterparts regarding how to enhance the organizational building of the SCO under new circumstances, better cope with major international and regional challenges, and reached broad consensus on fostering unity, seeking cooperation, boosting development and maintaining stability.

The foreign ministers agreed to make the best efforts to prepare for the summit scheduled for September, to strengthen unity and mutual trust, to firmly build safety protection, to strengthen development and cooperation, to push forward organizational building, and to safeguard fairness and justice in the international community.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Uzbekistan diplomatic ties.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev meets with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, July 28, 2022. (China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Handout via Xinhua)

During Wang's visit to Uzbekistan, both sides agreed to take the consensus reached by the two heads of state as a guide to deepen political mutual trust, strengthen the alignment of development strategies, and make joint efforts towards the vision and goal of building a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future so that bilateral relations could build on past achievements and strive for new progress.

The two sides agreed to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, realize as soon as possible the annual trade volume of 10 billion U.S. dollars and put forward new goals.

Wang also expressed China's support for Uzbekistan's WTO accession.

Both sides stressed that they will continue to deepen cooperation in connectivity, poverty alleviation, as well as  healthcare.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov meets with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, July 30, 2022. (Xinhua)

Wang said during his visit to Kyrgyzstan, he had full communication with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov and Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev and reached broad agreement on deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides agreed to promote China-Kyrgyzstan relations to a higher level, focus on the development of bilateral relations in the next 30 years and build a China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future, so as to better plan long-term and comprehensive bilateral cooperation in various fields, and lead the China-Kyrgyzstan comprehensive strategic partnership to a new stage, he said.

The two sides look forward to the implementation of the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and agreed to continue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon meets with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Aug. 1, 2022. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)

Since the establishment of China-Tajikistan diplomatic ties 30 years ago, bilateral relations have withstood the test of international and regional situation, achieved leapfrog development and reached a high level of comprehensive strategic partnership, said Wang.

The two sides agreed to speed up the implementation of the important consensus reached between Xi and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, and plan the long-term development of China-Tajikistan relations in accordance with the strategic guidance of the two heads of state.

The two sides are ready to cooperate in implementing the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative proposed by Xi. They will also continue to support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and continue to advance the Belt and Road cooperation.

The two sides attach great importance to and are willing to deepen security cooperation.

According to Wang, during the visit to Central Asia, the Chinese side exchanged views with his colleagues from Central Asian countries on how to deepen and consolidate cooperation between China and the five Central Asian countries.

As for the Afghan issue, Wang said all participating parties recognize that a peaceful, stable, inclusive and developing Afghanistan is in their common interest, adding that the final settlement of the Afghan issue should respect Afghanistan's independence and sovereignty and implement the principle of "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned."

As a friendly neighbor of Afghanistan, China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with all parties and continue to play a constructive role in Afghanistan's reconstruction and development, Wang said.