Chinese Embassy: Neighborhood and friendship - common desire of Chinese and Kyrgyz peoples

Bishkek, Apr. 17, 2020 / Kabar /. In connection with the publication in the Kyrgyz media of a number of articles that have negative content regarding the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Embassy in Bishkek distributed a statement. Kabar News Agency publishes the full text of the statement: “Recently, articles were published on the Azattyk website and some other media in Kyrgyzstan that distort the history of friendly contacts between Chinese and Kyrgyz peoples, exaggerate the so-called “Chinese Threat Theory” or “The Chinese Debt Trap Theory,” try to damage Chinese-Kyrgyz friendly relations. At the most critical moment of the joint struggle between China and Kyrgyzstan with the new type of COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, these actions clearly go against the demands of the times, pursue their own selfish goals and oppose the desire and the fundamental interests of Chinese and Kyrgyz peoples. China and Kyrgyzstan have been friendly neighbors for centuries. The Great Silk Road is a symbol of friendly relations between Chinese and Kyrgyz peoples. China is one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Kyrgyzstan and establish diplomatic relations with it. Back in 1996, our countries in the spirit of equality, consultations and mutual understanding signed an agreement on the border. China became the first state with which Kyrgyzstan managed to conclude an agreement on the state border. There are no questions left over from history between our countries. The Agreement on Good Neighborhood, Friendship and Cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the Kyrgyz Republic from 2002, strengthening good neighborliness, friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation meets the fundamental interests of China and Kyrgyzstan and their peoples. In June last year, President of China Mr. Xi Jinping paid a successful state visit to Kyrgyzstan, during which the leaders of the two countries signed the Joint Declaration of the People's Republic of China and the Kyrgyz Republic on the further deepening of the comprehensive strategic partnership. Kyrgyzstan is one of the first countries to support and participate in the joint construction of the One Belt, One Road. Adhering to the principle of Joint consultation, joint construction and joint use, China and Kyrgyzstan jointly carried out and are implementing a number of important projects in the field of transport, energy, infrastructure, etc., which play a very important role in developing the economy and improving the life of the people of Kyrgyzstan . Currently, the Chinese and Kyrgyz peoples are fighting hand in hand with the coronavirus pandemic. A telephone conversation took place between the President of China Mr. Xi Jinping and the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Sooronbay Jeenbekov. The leaders of our two countries agreed on further cooperation and mutual support in the joint fight against the epidemic. At the proposal of the Kyrgyz side, freight traffic of the two countries was resumed at the Chinese-Kyrgyz checkpoint of Irkeshtam. A Chinese medical team will arrive in Kyrgyzstan soon. In addition to support and assistance at the level of the government, sister cities of China, various sectors of Chinese society, Chinese enterprises in Kyrgyzstan and Chinese people living in the Kyrgyz Republic urgently raised financial and material resources, rendered assistance the Kyrgyz side in the fight against coronavirus disease. The Chinese people always remember that at the difficult time of the fight against the epidemic in China, the Kyrgyz government and the Kyrgyz people also provided support and humanitarian assistance. The joint struggle against the epidemic helps bring together the hearts of the peoples of our two countries. Rumors and gossips cannot hamper a thousand-year friendship. We are quite confident that the Chinese and Kyrgyz peoples will be able to thwart the attempt of various provocations, and the Chinese-Kyrgyz relations of a comprehensive strategic partnership will be further deepened and strengthened."