The trip marked his third visit to Kyrgyzstan and came as Beijing and Bishkek seek closer coordination between their development programmes.
The Kyrgyzstan visit was followed by Xi’s trip to Egypt, where China and Egypt are marking 70 years of diplomatic relations. Xi travelled to Cairo at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The visit was his second to Egypt as Chinese president.
Together, the two visits presented China’s approach to relations with developing countries through investment, transport links, trade, education and coordination in international organisations.
In a written speech on arrival in Bishkek, Xi described China-Kyrgyzstan cooperation as entering a “golden period” of development. He said the two countries had built their relationship over 34 years of diplomatic ties and had developed a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The economic component formed a central part of his programme.
