Within the framework of the official visit to the People’s Republic of China on February 22, 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Chingiz Aidarbekov visited Urumchi, meeting with the Chairman of the People's Government of the XUAR of the PRC Shohrat Zakir with the participation of the Kyzyl-Suu governor of the Kyrgyz Republic of the XUAR of the PRC Dilshat Kydyrkan.

During the conversation, the sides discussed issues of the Kyrgyz-Chinese interregional, cross-border, investment cooperation, cooperation in the trade and economic sphere, promotion of export of Kyrgyz products to the PRC, and taking measures to achieve a balance in bilateral trade.

Drawing attention to the Year of regional development and digitalization of the country declared by the President of the KRS Zheenbekov, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic stressed the importance of increasing the interaction of the border regions of Kyrgyzstan with the XUAR of China. “Cooperation with XUAR is complex. About 80% of the total commodity turnover between the two countries passes through this area,” added Minister C. Aidarbekov.

In turn, the Head of the People’s Government of the PRC XUAR Shohrat Zakir noted the importance of close coordination between the parties and strengthening security cooperation, as well as combating terrorism, extremism and separatism.

In addition, the head of the XUAR described in detail about the measures currently being taken in Xinjiang to ensure security, prevent and eliminate conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and religious extremism. In accordance with the state program, he explained the role and importance of vocational education centers engaged in teaching various specialties, due to which students who stay for minor offenses acquire additional knowledge and experience that allow them to get a job and earn their own work.

The Chairman of the People's Government of the XUAR, Shokhrat Zakir, excluded the ethnic component in the recruitment of students. At the same time, information on the presence of ethnic Kyrgyz in these centers is not confirmed.