On Monday, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi visited Kyrgyzstan, and met with his counterpart Erlan Abdyldaev in Bishkek. Wang said China highly values bilateral relations and is committed to supporting the development of Central Asian countries.

Chinese Foreign Minster Wang Yi (L) meets with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, May 22, 2016. (Xinhua/Roman Gainanov)

As 2016 marks the 25th anniversary of the independence of the five Central Asian countries, Wang visited to three of them—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan— in hopes of upgrading ties with the region.

The minister was in Kyrgyzstan Monday, and met with his counterpart Erlan Abdyldaev in Bishkek. The two held talks on bilateral relations, as well as other major issues of common concern.

Wang said China stands ready to support the development of Central Asian countries.

“As a sincere friend and strategic partner to Central Asian countries, China supports them in seeking development paths in accord with their own respective national conditions, that will benefit their own peoples and serve their long-term interests,” Wang said.

With the 2016 Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit approaching, China’s foreign minister is taking this occasion to support the Central Asian countries in deeper participation within the framework of the organization.

“China is willing to use the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a platform to speed up dovetailing the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union. The emphasis will be on production capacity cooperation and inter-connectivity,” Wang said.

This message was also conveyed while Wang was in Kazakhstan Saturday. The two sides committed to furthering their efforts in joining China’s Silk Road Economic Belt initiative

The next stop of Wang’s Central-Asia tour is Uzbekistan, where a two-day meeting of the Foreign Minister’s Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is taking place.

As comprehensive strategic partners and important neighboring countries, it is the mutual goal for China and Central Asian countries to build a community of common interests.