BISHKEK - Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev met here Thursday with Ismail Tiliwaldi, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), also a special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Atambayev was sworn in as president of Kyrgyzstan Thursday, which marked a milestone in the Central Asian republic's first peaceful transfer of power since its independence.

The president said Kyrgyzstan cherishes China's constant support, and hopes to promote bilateral relations with China in all aspects.

Kyrgyzstan firmly supports China's stance on issues concerning Taiwan and Tibet, said Atambayev, adding it would like to cooperate with China in cracking down on the "three evil forces" of separatism, extremism and terrorism.

Tiliwaldi, who was here for Atambayev's inaugural ceremony, said the good-neighborly and cooperative ties between the two countries have enjoyed steady and sound development since the establishment of diplomatic links some 20 years ago.

During that period, the two nations also maintained close high-level contact, deepened their political mutual understanding and maintained fruitful cooperation in various fields, said Tiliwaldi.

He said China is willing to be Kyrgyzstan's good neighbor, good friend and good partner, and respects the Kyrgyz people's rights to choose the path of development.

China is ready to join hands with Kyrgyzstan to further broaden and promote bilateral cooperation, he added.