CHENGDU- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday met separately with Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and Kyrgyz Minister of Foreign Affairs Kulubaev Zheenbek Moldokanovich in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu, where they are attending the fifth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
In his meeting with Meredov, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the two sides should continue the traditional friendship, implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests.
Noting that Turkmenistan is China's good brother and partner, Wang also said that the two sides should explore new ideas in expanding all-around mutually beneficial cooperation, make new breakthroughs in promoting energy cooperation, and take new steps in strengthening people-to-people exchanges.
China is willing to further expand the scale of trade and investment cooperation with Turkmenistan and will encourage more Chinese-funded enterprises to invest in Turkmenistan, Wang said.
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Meredov said Turkmenistan adheres to permanent friendship with China and is willing to keep close high-level exchanges with China, give full play to the role of the Turkmenistan-China Cooperation Committee and promote mutually beneficial cooperation on the flagship project of natural gas trade between the two sides.
Kyrgyzstan
In his talks with Kulubaev, Wang said that the fresh outcomes of bilateral practical cooperation fully demonstrate the huge potential of bilateral cooperation.
Wang called on the two sides to carry forward the fine tradition of mutual respect and support, deepen strategic mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and take the China-Kyrgyzstan comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era to a new level.
Kulubaev said Kyrgyzstan looks forward to preparing for the next stage of high-level exchanges with China, establishing a high-level strategic dialogue mechanism, and expanding cooperation in various fields.