Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov said here Monday that China is a close neighbor, reliable friend and strategic partner of his country.

The president made the remarks at the handover ceremony of a hospital built with Chinese help in Kyrgyzstan's southern capital city Osh. The ceremony was also attended by Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Du Dewen, officials and local residents.

Jeenbekov said the hospital will provide citizens with high-quality medical services.

Jeenbekov expressed gratitude to China for its support in the construction of the hospital and furnishing it with modern equipment. He stressed that Kyrgyz-Chinese cooperation is in the interests of both countries.

For her part, Du noted that the construction of the hospital is one of several major healthcare projects between Kyrgyzstan and China and evidence of the friendship between the two peoples.

"In recent years, the Belt and Road Initiative has opened a new page of Kyrgyz-Chinese cooperation," said Du. "Together, we have implemented a number of large projects in the fields of energy, road infrastructure and healthcare."

Osh Hospital is a surgical hospital which was built by Chinese company Top International Engineering Corporation.