Putin Meets Xi Jinping on Sidelines of SCO Summit

Vladimir Putin used his meeting with Xi Jinping in Bishkek to propose making visa-free travel between Russia and China permanent.

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We are ready to work together to make the visa-free regime permanent if the Chinese side considers this possible and useful.

Putin said Russia was ready to work with China on a permanent arrangement if Beijing considered it possible and useful. He also said the visa-free regime had helped increase tourist flows between the two countries by 43% in the first half of the year.

The Russian and Chinese presidents met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in the Kyrgyz capital. Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the bilateral meeting in a post on X.

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On August 31, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of China Xi Jinping held a meeting in Bishkek.

Xi held separate talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov. Mirziyoyev said he and Xi discussed strengthening cooperation between Uzbekistan and China across key areas.

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On the sidelines of the SCO summit, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bishkek. The leaders discussed further strengthening multifaceted cooperation between Uzbekistan and China across key areas.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Xi told Zhaparov that China-Kyrgyzstan relations had developed rapidly in recent years. She also said a treaty on permanent good-neighbourliness, friendship, and cooperation would provide a foundation for lasting friendship and mutual support between the two countries.

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The signing of the treaty between China and Kyrgyzstan on permanent good-neighbourliness, friendship and cooperation will provide an important foundation for the two countries to enjoy lasting friendship and unwavering mutual support.