Ankara: China and Kyrgyzstan signed a treaty on 'eternal good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation' on Monday, as Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in Bishkek during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.
According to Anadolu Agency, the two leaders also signed a joint declaration focused on the high-quality development of their comprehensive strategic partnership, targeting enhanced economic, infrastructure, and other ties. These agreements were formalized during Xi's state visit to Kyrgyzstan, which coincided with the SCO summit taking place in the Kyrgyz capital.
The treaty aims to establish a long-term institutional foundation for bilateral relations. Xi has characterized the current period of China-Kyrgyzstan relations as a 'golden period' of development, while Japarov has referred to China as a close friend and reliable partner. This agreement aligns with China's broader strategy to expand its economic involvement in Central Asia, particularly through significant infrastructure and transport initiatives.
One of the key regional projects highlighted is the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, designed to bolster transport links between China and Central Asia, providing an additional route to markets in the west. The treaty was part of several bilateral documents signed following discussions between Japarov and Xi.
Japarov's agenda reflected the extensive diplomatic activities linked to the 2026 SCO summit, which features leaders from China, Russia, India, and other member states. The summit is being hosted in Bishkek on August 31 and September 1, with Xi participating in both the multilateral events and engagements related to his state visit to Kyrgyzstan.
Japarov also met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss Kyrgyzstan's upcoming term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2027-2028. Additionally, he received US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor, who was in Bishkek for the World Nomad Games. Their discussions focused on cooperation under the 'Central Asia + United States' C5+1 format and the potential for a second summit of participating heads of state in 2027.
Further diplomatic engagements included talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe, and Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan. These meetings underscored the wide-ranging diplomatic activity accompanying the SCO summit, with Kyrgyzstan leveraging its host role to reinforce existing partnerships and extend its international contacts.
Japarov also had a separate meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss trade, economic, and energy cooperation, as well as transport and logistics collaboration, alongside the expansion of cultural and humanitarian ties. The Bishkek summit unites China, Russia, India, and other SCO members, aiming to deepen cooperation across security, trade, transport, and other sectors. Xi's presence adds significance to his bilateral engagements with Kyrgyzstan, viewed by Beijing as a crucial component of its broader relations with Central Asia.