Kyrgyzstan and China’s Xinjiang Expand Economic Cooperation

On April 2nd, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov met Chairman of the Government of China’s western Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Erkin Tuniyaz in Bishkek. With the participation of business representatives of more than 50 Chinese companies, discussions focused on proposals for digitalization, transport, logistics, investment, agriculture, and humanitarian projects. President Japarov stated that China is one of his country’s main trade and investment partners and noted the successful progress of the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway; the largest joint project to date. He also emphasized the importance of increasing cooperation with the XUAR and accelerating the practical implementation of further joint projects, adding that Kyrgyzstan is ready to expand and strengthen cooperation with China within the Belt and Road initiative and the Central Asia-China format. A key topic of discussions was the expansion of bilateral cooperation in rare metals mining, the opening of a new air route between the Kyrgyz city of Osh and Xinjiang’s Kashgar, and the establishment of joint commercial and industrial parks. Erkin Tuniyaz also met the Chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov, who said that “In trade and economic cooperation, we rely on Xinjiang; this region of China is for us a kind of gateway to your country.” According to Chinese statistics, trade turnover between the two countries in 2023 amounted to $19.8 billion; an increase of 30% since 2022.