Chinese premier meets leaders attending closing ceremony of Beijing horticultural expo

BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday met with leaders from Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan and Cambodia, who are here to attend the closing ceremony of the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing.

When meeting with Kyrgyz First Deputy Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov, Li said China and Kyrgyzstan are friendly neighbors. This year, the two heads of state have exchanged visits and injected new impetus into the development of bilateral relations. Both countries have always supported each other in matters involving their core interests.

China is willing to work with Kyrgyzstan to increase the scale of bilateral trade, deepen pragmatic cooperation in fields such as investment, and push for new progress in bilateral relations, Li said.

Boronov said Kyrgyzstan attaches great importance to deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and is willing to further enhance high-level exchanges between the two countries, expand economic and trade investment cooperation and provide all conveniences for Chinese investors.

When meeting with Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Hajibala Abutalybov, Li said since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Azerbaijan, the two sides have always conducted cooperation on the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit to realize the sound and steady development of bilateral relations.

China supports Azerbaijan in its efforts to pursue a development path that suits its national conditions and is willing to get along with Azerbaijan for win-win cooperation and common development.

Abutalybov said Azerbaijan attaches great importance to relations with China, firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and is willing to consolidate friendship with China and actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative to achieve more mutual benefits.

When meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, Li said China and Cambodia are traditional friendly neighbors. The two sides have consistently stood for the principle of mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs in dealing with international relations.

He said China is willing to continue to consolidate and deepen friendship with Cambodia, promote bilateral free trade agreement talks, push for reaching the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement at an early date, advance the consultations on a code of conduct in the South China Sea, and jointly safeguard regional peace, stability and prosperity.

Hor Namhong said that bilateral relations have been friendly for a long time. The two sides have signed an action plan on building a community with a shared future, which will further promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and deepen the Belt and Road construction.

Cambodia is willing to sign a free trade agreement with China as soon as possible to deepen pragmatic cooperation, Hor Namhong said.

Foreign leaders also congratulated on the 70th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China, and expressed their admiration for China's development achievements.