Bishkek, June 25, 2026 /Kabar/. As part of a working visit to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, Erlist Akunbekov, Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry attended the opening ceremony of the 9th China-Eurasia Expo, held under the motto "New Opportunities of the Silk Road – New Energy of Eurasia."
He first toured the exhibition pavilions displaying products from companies participating in the Expo, after which he addressed the official opening ceremony. High-ranking officials from Kazakhstan, China, and Pakistan, as well as representatives of international organizations, financial institutions, and major global companies, participated in the event.
In his speech, Erlist Akunbekov noted that for Kyrgyzstan, which regularly participates actively in the China-Eurasia Expo, this platform has become an important tool for strengthening trade and economic cooperation with China and countries in the region.
"Discussing the topic 'New Opportunities of the Silk Road – New Energy of Eurasia,' I would like to highlight key areas of cooperation that are strategically important for Kyrgyzstan and the entire region, as well as open up new prospects for collaboration in transport, trade, economics, energy, and finance," he emphasized. He highlighted that the three existing checkpoints on the Kyrgyz-Chinese border play a key role in expanding trade and economic ties and serve as China's important gateway to Central Asia and the Caucasus. Furthermore, construction has begun on a historic project—the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway—which will become part of the new Iron Silk Road.
Speaking about trade and economic cooperation, he emphasized that China is one of Kyrgyzstan's main trade and investment partners. Bilateral trade volumes are growing annually and reached $27 billion last year.
In the energy sector, Kyrgyzstan is interested in further developing cooperation with partners on renewable energy projects, including the construction and modernization of hydroelectric power plants.
Erlist Akunbekov also noted the particular relevance of introducing effective financial instruments capable of supporting major projects along the modern Silk Road. He stated that the Kyrgyz side supports the further deepening of financial and interbank cooperation with China.