Xi, Japarov chart new course for China-Kyrgyzstan ties

Following Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Kyrgyzstan, China-Kyrgyzstan cooperation has ushered in a "golden period" of rapid development with the two countries working to translate their longstanding friendship and strong political mutual trust into broader cooperation and greater benefits for their people.

Xi landed in Bishkek on Sunday to visit Kyrgyzstan and attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2026. It is also his third visit to the country.

Bishkek received this distinguished old friend with high-standard and highly distinctive ethnic etiquette.

Escorted by a cavalry guard, Xi's limousine arrived at the Yntymak Ordo, the presidential administration building, where he and his wife Peng Liyuan were warmly greeted by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and his wife Aigul Japarova.

A military band played the Chinese and Kyrgyz national anthems, and the two heads of state reviewed the Kyrgyz Guard of Honor.

The two presidents also watched a march-past performed by the guards of honor.

Over the past decade, Xi has held many meetings with Kyrgyz leaders, guiding China-Kyrgyzstan relations to achieve leapfrog development.

During this visit, the two presidents signed a joint declaration on the high-quality development of the comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era between the two countries, and a bilateral treaty on permanent good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation.

U.S. stocks ended lower on Monday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 374.09 points, or 0.7 percent, to 53,185.90. The Standard and Poor's 500 sank 25.62 points, or 0.33 percent, to 7,686.14. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 31.53 points, or 0.12 percent, to 26,370.89.

Nine of the 11 primary Standard and Poor's 500 sectors ended in the red, with communication services and utilities leading the laggards by dropping 1.63 percent and 1.18 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, energy and technology gained 2.1 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively.