Omurbek Tekebayev, speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament, met in Bishkek on Monday with Lu Yongxiang, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, on bilateral ties.

During the meeting with Lu, Tekebayev said that Kyrgyzstan highly values its relations with China and sees China as a friendly partner.

He thanked China for its persistent backing for Kyrgyzstan's efforts to develop economy and fight the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism and maintain stability in the region.

Tekebayev said that Kyrgyzstan will continue to unswervingly support China in its handling of the Taiwan issue and the Tibet issue and cracking down on the "Eastern Turkistan" terrorists.

For his part, Lu said that it has been China's set policy to develop friendly cooperation with its neighbors.

China and Kyrgyzstan have completely resolved their border disputes left over by history, and have deepened their mutual political trust as well as cooperation in trade, transportation and telecommunications, Lu said.

Both sides are also cooperating closely in such international organizations as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and have scored remarkable achievements in fighting the "three evil forces" and maintaining peace in the region.

Lu also spoke highly of Kyrgyzstan's firm support for China's position on the Taiwan issue, the Tibet issue and the "Eastern Turkistan" terrorism, adding that China will, as always, continue to support Kyrgyzstan's efforts to safeguard national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and to develop national economy.

He said that the Chinese National People's Congress is willing to increase exchanges and cooperation with the Kyrgyz parliament so as to contribute to the mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of both countries and to further promote bilateral ties.

Lu, who is also president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, arrived in Bishkek Saturday to attend new Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's inauguration ceremony on Sunday as President Hu Jintao's special envoy. He met with Bakiyev on Sunday.

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2005)