Ahead of his state visit to China, which began on February 4, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov highlighted the strategic partnership between the two countries in an interview with Xinhua news agency. He described China as one of Kyrgyzstan’s main trade and investment partners. The full interview was published on Japarov’s official website.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Japarov underscored the value of the long-standing comprehensive strategic partnership between Kyrgyzstan and China.
“In recent years, our countries have significantly strengthened mutual trust and built a relationship based on good neighborliness, friendship, and productive cooperation,” he said.
One of the most significant projects in Kyrgyz-Chinese cooperation is the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, officially launched in Kyrgyzstan on December 27, 2024. Japarov emphasized that the railway aligns with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative and reflects the high level of political trust between the three countries.
“This route is more than just a transport corridor. It will facilitate the delivery of goods from China to Kyrgyzstan and further to Central Asia, the Middle East, Turkey, Europe, and beyond. It will also allow our products to reach South and Southeast Asia,” he stated.
Expanding Economic Cooperation
Japarov reiterated that China has long been one of Kyrgyzstan’s key trade and investment partners. In 2024, bilateral trade turnover reached $22.71 billion.
He expressed support for expanding Kyrgyz-Chinese economic cooperation in various sectors, including agriculture, the processing industry, energy, and environmental protection. He also advocated for increased collaboration between regions, the creation of a banking and financial platform, and the development of e-commerce.
Enhancing Trade and Border Connectivity
To improve trade efficiency, Kyrgyzstan and China are working to increase the transit capacity of the two existing border checkpoints – Torugart and Irkeshtam. Japarov also expressed hope that opening a third border checkpoint at Bedel would further boost trade flows between China and Central Asia.
He noted that trade and economic cooperation have accelerated, as seen in the extended working hours at the Torugart and Irkeshtam checkpoints. Previously, the Chinese side operated these crossings for eight hours a day, five days a week. However, in 2024, they transitioned to 14-hour operations, seven days a week.
“Since March 1, 2024, the Kyrgyz side has switched to a round-the-clock working schedule at both Torugart and Irkeshtam. We expect our Chinese partners to follow suit,” Japarov said.
Agricultural and Digital Trade Initiatives
Japarov also highlighted ongoing efforts to promote the export of Kyrgyzstan’s environmentally friendly agricultural products to China.
Additionally, both countries are implementing the Two Countries, Two Parks project in Kyrgyzstan’s Naryn region, linking the Kashgar (China) and Naryn (Kyrgyzstan) free economic zones. The initiative aims to enhance e-commerce between Kyrgyzstan and China’s Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region.
