FM pushes co-op with Russia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan

CHOLPON-ATA, Kyrgyzstan - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday met separately with senior diplomats from Russia, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan to promote bilateral cooperation.

The meetings took place on the sidelines of a foreign ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in this Kyrgyz resort town.

During his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the two agreed that their countries should maintain the momentum in the development of bilateral ties and strive for new achievements in their all-round cooperation.

Noting that the SCO is an important force for regional peace, stability and development, they said cooperation among SCO members should be enhanced to facilitate a healthy and sound development of the organization.

While meeting with Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi, Wang said the establishment of the China-Tajikistan strategic partnership in May inaugurated a new stage in the development of their bilateral ties.

China, he said, is ready to work with Tajikistan to further deepen their political mutual trust and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in energy, agriculture and law enforcement, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Zarifi, for his part, said his country attaches great importance to its relations with China, and sees China as a preferred partner for cooperation.

Tajikistan, he added, is willing to join China in boosting cooperation for mutual benefit in all areas so as to promote bilateral ties to even higher levels.

In the meeting with Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Sarybay, Wang said the two countries' political mutual trust, pragmatic cooperation and mutual coordination on the world stage are now at unprecedentedly high levels.

China and Kazakhstan should maintain high-level exchange of visits and intensify their efforts to combat the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism as well as drug-trafficking, he suggested.

The two sides should also strengthen coordination and communication within the SCO and other frameworks so as to further boost the China-Kazakhstan comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang said.

Sarybay said his nation is willing to work with China in deepening their mutual trust, expand pragmatic cooperation, and step up their coordination in global and regional affairs.