China, Kyrgyz sign MOU on stronger legislative cooperation

BEIJING, May 6 -- The legislative bodies of China and Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to deepen their collaboration.

The MOU came out of the talks between Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Zhang Dejiang and Kyrgyz Parliament Speaker Asylbek Zheenbekov at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The NPC and the Kyrgyz Parliament should deepen political trust and strategic coordination, support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns and provide legal guarantees for a joint fight against three evil forces of separatism, extremism and terrorism, including "East Turkistan" forces, Zhang said. h Zhang called on the two legislatures to play a positive role in approving legal documents and promoting the key collaboration projects, creating sound policy and a legal environment for the growth of bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

The two legislatures should play their roles in enhancing people-to-people friendship, boosting cooperation in education, science, culture and local areas and laying a solid foundation for long-term bilateral relations, Zhang said.

Zheenbekov said the Kyrgyz Parliament would like to work more closely with the NPC to seek the deeper growth of bilateral cooperation in all areas.

Both Zhang and Zheenbekov reviewed Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Kyrgyzstan last year, during which the presidents of the two countries upgraded bilateral relations to strategic partnership.

Zhang and Zheenbekov said they will implement presidents' consensus and move forward bilateral ties.

Zheenbekov appreciated China's help and support to Kyrgyzstan since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1992.

Zheenbekov, who is on his first trip to China as parliamentary leader, came to Beijing on Monday for a four-day visit.