Chinese, Kyrgyz FMs hold first strategic dialogue

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Kyrgyz counterpart, Jeenbek Kulubaev, held their first strategic dialogue in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Wednesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the establishment of the strategic dialogue mechanism is a concrete step in implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state, which will help further strengthen strategic mutual trust, enhance strategic coordination and promote strategic cooperation.

Wang said that jointly building a China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future characterized by good-neighborliness, friendship and common prosperity meets the fundamental interests of both countries and reflects the aspirations of their people.

China is ready to deepen communication and coordination with Kyrgyzstan on international affairs and fully supports Kyrgyzstan in assuming the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Wang added.

Kulubaev said Kyrgyzstan adheres to the one-China principle and is ready to work with China to advance Belt and Road cooperation, deepen cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture and mining, connectivity and other areas, accelerate the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, and strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Kyrgyzstan is ready to closely cooperate with China to actively implement the four global initiatives put forward by the Chinese side, strengthen coordination within the UN, and promote the further development of the China-Central Asia mechanism.

After the talks, the two sides signed a joint statement on the outcomes of the first foreign ministers' strategic dialogue and a cooperation program for 2026-2027 between the two foreign ministries.

Chinese, Kyrgyz FMs hold first strategic dialogue

All 1,248 players of the 48 teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been confirmed following the submission of final squad lists to FIFA, the world football governing body announced Tuesday.

Lionel Messi of Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico will feature in their sixth World Cup campaigns, while Cabo Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan are going to play their first World Cup.

The tournament opens on June 11 and 104 matches will be played in Canada, Mexico and the United States, with the final to be played on July 19.

"The confirmed squad lists underline the scale and enduring appeal of the tournament with 357 players returning after at least one previous FIFA World Cup squad inclusion. Some 891 players are set to experience the competition for the first time, highlighting both continuity and renewal across the global game," FIFA said.

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon will be the oldest player at the tournament at 43 years and 162 days old, while Mexico's Gilberto Mora will be the youngest at 17 years and 240 days old. There will be 22 players under 20 years old and seven players aged 40 or above at the start of the tournament.

FIFA World Cup squads confirmed