Kyrgyz president meets Chinese DM

Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev discussed bilateral military ties and regional affairs with Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan Thursday, vowing to strengthen cooperation.

Atambayev said there were a number of uncertainties in Central Asia, and that Kyrgyzstan, China and other countries in the region faced common threats.

Kyrgyzstan and China must strengthen cooperation and jointly tackle challenges, Atambayes said, stressing the importance of military cooperation in the bilateral relationship and hoping to further deepen military exchanges.

Chang, also a state councilor, said China-Kyrgyz relations had developed well since the establishment of diplomatic relations, and the political trust had constantly deepened between the two sides.

China would, as always, attach great importance to the bilateral relations and work together to create a new future for ties between the two militaries under the leadership of president Atambayev and Chinese President Xi Jinping, he said.

Earlier, Kyrgyzstan Defense Minister Taalaibek Omuraliev exchanged views with Chang on bilateral military ties and issues of common interest.

Chang was in Bishkek for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense chiefs on Wednesday, which groups China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.