President Xi Jinping on Thursday hailed strong ties between China and Kyrgyzstan during his meeting with his Kyrgyz counterpart Sadyr Zhaparov in Uzbekistan.

Xi and other regional leaders are in Uzbekistan to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Xi is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the summit.

According to Xinhua News Agency, Xi told Zhaparov that China has been, is now and will always be a trustworthy and reliable friend and partner of Kyrgyzstan.

Xi said China firmly supports Kyrgyzstan in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and security, as well as choosing its path of development. Zhaparov, for his part, said his country firmly adheres to the one-China principle and stressed the need for closer cooperation with Beijing to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership.

China and Kyrgyzstan signed a series of agreements in areas including agriculture and medical care.