China, Azerbaijan upgrading ties as Xi meets Aliyev in Astana

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - China and Azerbaijan are upgrading their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday during a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev in Astana.

Xi and Aliyev discussed upgrading bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

Calling it a new starting point, Hua added both nations pledged to strengthen mutual support and bring more benefits to their people.

Xi also met with the leaders of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in Kazakhstan, where he is on a visit to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting.

He also held talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. During their meeting, Xi highlighted China's accelerated progress in its modernization drive, with the primary goal of improving the lives of its citizens, Hua said.

The Chinese president also met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov. Hua said China will work with Kyrgyzstan to seek greater synergy in development strategies, strengthen the exchange of experiences in governance, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields.

Earlier on Wednesday, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hosted the Chinese leader in Astana ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.

China's President Xi Jinping flew to Kazakhstan on Tuesday for a state visit and to attend the SCO summit.

In June, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan signed an agreement on a new railway project, a key component of the Belt and Road Initiative aimed at improving connectivity and economic cooperation in the region.