Kadyrbek Sarbaev (Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic): In our opinion, one of the paramount tasks of the two countries is the consolidation of joint efforts for achieving the program of cooperation in trade and economy until 2014, which was signed two years ago. One of the priorities and prospective directions for cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and China should be the development of mutually-beneficial cooperation within the framework of the SCO. We are vesting big hopes that the new government will achieve previously set goals and objectives on the acceleration of our economic development. A grant for 900 million USD given by Chinese government has begun to be implemented, as evidenced by the cement factory and other projects that are under consideration by the Chinese government.

Zhang Yannian (Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kyrgyz Republic): We are satisfied with the current relations between Kyrgyzstan and China. The leaders of our two countries are in constant communication. Earlier, representatives of China and then acting President Bakiev met during the SCO summit in Astana. Bilateral meetings were held, during which many important agreements were reached. During and after those bilateral meetings, the heads of the two governments exchanged opinions on the realization of their agreements. A special representative of China’s Chairman was present during Bakiev’s inauguration as president, and met with the heads of parliament and government. Such kinds of contact play an important role in the development of relation between two countries. In the sphere of economic development, there is a certain success, about which Mr. Sarbaev has already spoken. According to Chinese customs data, in 2005 sales have increased more than 60%, reaching 970 million USD.

Erlan Abdyldaev (Former Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the People’s Republic of China): Failure of joint economic projects can be explained by the fact that this cooperation has been much politicized by both countries, as well as to a lack of good management, correct calculation of projects, and voluntarism in decision-making. Such a fate, as everybody knows, has grasped the Kyrgyz-Chinese paper-mill, match factories, etc. Large-scale politics is present even during the discussion of constructing the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway , and also of the export of Kyrgyz electrical power to China. Both projects concern not only sociopolitical aspects of two countries, but also political and economic interests of third countries.

Roundtable participants:

1. Kadyrbek Sarbaev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic

2. Zhang Yannian, Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinaire of the People’s Republic of China to the Kyrgyz Republic 

3. Jeenbek Kulubaev, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

4. Valentin Bogatyrev, Director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic

5. Erlan Abdyldaev, Former Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the People’s Republic of China

6. Marat Saralinov, Professor of the Diplomatic Academy under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Extraordinaire of the Kyrgyz Republic

7. Almaz Biybosunov, Director of the Public Foundation for Political Research “Project of Future”

8. Marat Chanachev, Director of the Research Center on China and Regional Cooperation under the International Institute for Strategic Studies

Moderator: Muratbek Imanaliev, President of the Institute for Public Policy, Ambassador

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