Xi in Kyrgyzstan for state visit, SCO summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) is welcomed by his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambaev (L) as he arrives at the airport in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 10, 2013. Xi started Tuesday his first state visit to Kyrgyzstan, where he will also attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Bishkek on Tuesday for his first state visit to Kyrgyzstan, where he will also attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.

Kyrgyzstan is the last stop of Xi's maiden trip to Central Asia since assuming the presidency in March.

During his four-day stay in Kyrgyzstan, Xi is expected to meet with his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambaev on furthering bilateral relations and promoting cooperation.

Both leaders will sign a document on the results of Xi's visit, and participate the signing ceremony of a package of cooperation deals.

Earlier, Atambaev said he hoped the Chinese president's visit will push forward Kyrgyzstan's mutually beneficial cooperation with China in every area, and lift bilateral ties to the level of a strategic partnership.

At the 13th meeting of the Council of Heads of the SCO Member States, Xi will sign with other leaders the Bishkek Declaration and approve a series of documents.

The Chinese leader will also witness the signing of a cooperation agreement on science and technology between the governments of the SCO members.

Before Kyrgyzstan, Xi visited Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. He also attended a Group of 20 summit in the Russian city of St. Petersburg.