China vows to deepen friendship with Central Asian countries

ASHGABAT, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The new Chinese government will continue its good-neighborly relations with Central Asian countries and further deepen strategic mutual trust and cooperation with them, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

Wang attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) foreign ministers' meeting in Bishkek and paid official visits to Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan on July 12-19, in preparation for President Xi Jinping's visit to the region in September.

Xi's visit will be a historic event that will certainly push forward the ties between China and these three states as well as with all Central Asian states to a new stage, he said.

China and Central Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, are friendly neighbors since ancient times.

Beijing will always support the path of development chosen by the Central Asian countries in line with their specific national conditions and endorse the measures taken by them to maintain stability and develop economy, Wang said.

The Chinese foreign minister said the leaders of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan said their countries regard China as a trustworthy friend and partner.

They appreciate China's long-time assistance and highly value Beijing's huge influence in regional and international affairs as a responsible world power, Wang said.

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