China, Kyrgyzstan to strengthen military ties

Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan on Thursday called for further development of China-Kyrgyzstan military ties as a high-ranking Kyrgyz military delegation visited Beijing.

Chang, also state councilor, said at a meeting with the delegation that China-Kyrgyzstan relations have entered a fast lane since President Xi Jinping's September visit to the central Asian country.

During the visit, President Xi and President Almazbek Atambayev announced the establishment of a China-Kyrgyzstan strategic partnership, Chang noted.

The defense minister called on the two sides to make joint efforts in exploring new forms and areas of cooperation to promote healthy and stable development of military-to-military relations.

Hailing China-Kyrgyzstan relations, Iliazbek Subankulov, first deputy defense minister of Kyrgyzstan and chief of general staff of the armed forces of Kyrgyzstan, said that his country appreciates China's support and is willing to further deepen bilateral cooperation.

Fang Fenghui, chief of general staff of the People's Liberation Army of China, held talks with Subankulov later on Thursday. Fang vowed to further facilitate bilateral military cooperation in the areas of anti-terrorism, education and army training.

Subankulov reiterated Kyrgyzstan's support for China's efforts to maintain territorial integrity, vowing joint efforts to upgrade military ties.