Interview: A political party striving for people's well-being always supported by people -- CPC in the eyes of Kyrgyz President Zhaparov

BISHKEK, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- "If a party is driven by selfless goals, striving for the common good, prosperity, well-being of the people, then such a party will always be supported by its people," Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov said when speaking of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Since its founding in 1921, the CPC has gone through a glorious path of development, Zhaparov said in a recent written interview with Xinhua and other Chinese media.

Under the leadership of the CPC, China made the current achievements in political, economic, social and other development, he said.

Over more than 40 years, China has successfully implemented its policy of reform and opening-up, improved people's living standards, and increased its prestige in the world, Zhaparov said.

Last year, China achieved its first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects, and historically solved the problem of absolute poverty, the Kyrgyz president said, adding that China has become the world's second largest economy and an example to the world.

"We know that the Communist Party of China regards the struggle for a happy life for the Chinese people, and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation as its top priority, goal, and historical mission," he said, adding this is clearly demonstrated by the current fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CPC, putting the health and safety of the people first, is taking timely and active measures against the spread of the pandemic. Thanks to these efforts, China is one of the first countries in the world to successfully keep the pandemic under control and realize economic recovery, the Kyrgyz president noted.

In February, Zhaparov attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, and was deeply impressed by the official slogan of the event "Together for a Shared Future."

"This a call for the international community to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Whether we are a small country or a big country, in the context of globalization, we all have one future and one destiny. All current issues and challenges are intertwined, and we must resolve them together through dialogue and cooperation, respecting each other's interests," he noted.

Zhaparov said that the Global Development Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping conforms to the trend of the times and the aspirations of the people of all countries: the desire for peace, cooperation and development.

"I would like to point out that Kyrgyzstan supports the Global Development Initiative and is willing to make its own contribution to the implementation of the initiative," he said.

Zhaparov said Jan. 5, 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kyrgyzstan and China. "Today, Kyrgyz-Chinese relations are developing vigorously and are at a high level, covering political, economic, cultural fields," he said.

The Kyrgyz-Chinese relations have been tested by time and have developed into a comprehensive strategic partnership, he said.

"We are now enjoying the fruits of this partnership: enhanced political mutual trust between the two countries, active development of cooperation in the field of security, and expanding economic and trade cooperation," Zhaparov said.

He added that in the international arena, the two countries provide mutual support over issues of each other's concern, and conduct cooperation within frameworks including the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia and the China + Central Asia cooperation mechanism.

In the interview, the Kyrgyz president mentioned the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) multiple times, saying that Kyrgyzstan is one of the earliest supporters of and participants in the Belt and Road cooperation.

Against the background of the rapidly changing international situation and increasing unstable factors, the Belt and Road cooperation proposed by President Xi has created conditions for maintaining regional peace and stability.

The Kyrgyz president stressed that the BRI gives the Central Asian region an opportunity to solve the strategic task of direct access to seaports and turn the region into a crossroads of transcontinental highways from east to west, and from north to south.

In this regard, the implementation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project will be an important step to fully unleash the transit potential of the region, he added.

"In recent years, with the assistance of China, Kyrgyzstan has implemented a series of projects in infrastructure, transportation, energy, medical care, education, irrigation and other fields. It should be noted that the opportunities for strengthening practical cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and China are unique, (and) the implementation of conjugation of the development strategies of the countries meets the fundamental interests of both sides," he said.

Zhaparov noted that currently, Kyrgyzstan's national development focuses on green development, innovation, digital and creative economy and Kyrgyzstan intends to strengthen cooperation with its Chinese partners in these fields.

"I am sure that the expansion of mutually beneficial trade, economic and investment cooperation between the countries located along the ancient Silk Road will contribute to strengthening stability, political dialogue and economic progress in the region," the Kyrgyz president said.