At a meeting with Askar Aitmatov, Kyrgyz minister of foreign affairs, Wen said China was concerned about the situation in Central Asia and supported the anti-terrorism moves of the international community.

Wen praised the overall development of the traditional China-Kyrgyzstan friendship since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 10 years ago.

To encourage bilateral long-term, stable and good-neighborly friendship and cooperation was in the fundamental interests of both countries and was conducive to regional peace and development, noted Wen.

He said China would work with Kyrgyzstan to resolutely implement the bilateral good-neighbor, friendship and cooperation pact, to bring about a better future for bilateral relations.

Aitmatov said his country valued its ties with China and the two sides were implementing the bilateral pact.

Both were also furthering their cooperation in such fields as politics, economics, culture and education, and had scored satisfactory results, noted Aitmatov.

He stressed that Kyrgyzstan would strengthen coordination and cooperation with China within the SCO framework, especially in fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism, to make joint efforts for safeguarding regional peace, stability and development.

Aitmatov started his visit to China on Tuesday as guest of Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan.

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2002)