Economic and trade cooperation between China and the Kyrgyz Republic has a great potential, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said on Tuesday.
Zhu made the statement when meeting Kyrgyzstan President Askar Akayev in Beijing. Zhu said that bilateral relations have maintained rapid growth and there has been cooperation in all sectors since the two countries set up diplomatic ties ten years ago.
Zhu noted that the settlement of the border issue has laid a good foundation for the development of bilateral relations betweenthe two countries.
The two countries should take effective measures to create a good environment for economic activities between them and should encourage companies and entrepreneurs to strengthen exchanges, Zhusaid.
The Chinese premier said that the two countries have advantagesin developing economic and trade cooperation, with geographical proximity and convenient transportation.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the Kyrgyz Republic. Akayev commended the growth and consolidation of bilateral ties over the past decade and said the two countries have set up neighborly relations on the basis of mutual trust and respect.
Akayev said that cooperation in sectors such as energy, transportation, telecommunication, civil aviation and mining, has brought bilateral relations to high levels.
Akayev promised to provide a good investment atmosphere to promote the healthy development of economic and trade relations between the two sides.