Chinese premier to visit Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, attend meetings in Tajikistan, Russia

Chinese Premier Li Qiang will travel to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Russia in the coming days for visits and meetings, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning announced on Thursday.

"At the invitation of Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov, Premier of the State Council Li Qiang will pay an official visit to Uzbekistan from October 17 to 18. At the invitation of Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Kohir Rasulzoda, Premier Li Qiang will pay an official visit to Tajikistan from October 18 to 20 and attend the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. At the invitation of Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin, Premier Li Qiang will travel to Russia from October 20 to 22 for the 31st regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government," Mao said at a regular press conference in Beijing.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Thursday called on China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to take the opening of the new China-DPRK Yalu River bridge as an opportunity to continuously optimize port clearance, enhance connectivity, tap the potential for cooperation in border areas, and improve the well-being of the two peoples.

The bridge is bound to become a new landmark symbolizing the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK, Li said.

Li made the remarks when delivering a video speech at the opening ceremony of the bridge connecting northeast China's Liaoning Province and North Pyongan Province of the DPRK.

Noting that the bridge is an important cross-border infrastructure project that General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un have cared about and promoted, Li said that with the joint efforts of both sides, the opening of the bridge will not only effectively promote economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, but also further enhance personnel exchanges and strengthen the emotional bond between the two peoples.

China and the DPRK are friendly socialist neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, said Li, adding that, under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and countries, China-DPRK relations are entering a new stage and opening a new chapter.

China is willing to work with the DPRK to continue making efforts to implement the important consensus reached by the two top leaders, strengthen strategic communication, consolidate political mutual trust, and expand practical cooperation, so as to continuously deepen the development of China-DPRK relations and bring more benefits to the two peoples, Li said.

Pak Thae Song, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, delivered a video speech.