Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev answers questions at his annual year-end press conference held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Dec. 1, 2016. Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev hosted his annual year-end press conference in Bishkek on Dec. 1. In the three-hour-long press conference, Atambayev reviewed his work in 2016 and answered more than 70 questions. (Xinhua/Roman)
BISHKEK, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev said Thursday that China is contributing to the prosperity of Kyrgyzstan and throughout Central Asia.
He made the comment in response to a question from a Xinhua reporter at his annual year-end press conference in Bishkek.
Atambayev highlighted main achievements of Kyrgyzstan-China cooperation in the past few years, particularly those under the Belt and Road Initiative, a China-proposed program to improve connectivity and boost development along ancient trade routes.
The two sides have upgraded their ties and their ever-closer cooperation is set to yield more fruits, he said.
The Kyrgyz president also noted China's role in financing some big projects in Kyrgyzstan that would improve the infrastructure of his country.
"No one but China has given us such preferential and favorable loans. It is not only credit resources, very often we receive grant support," he said.
The Kyrgyz leader said that he is grateful to China for the support.
In a sign of his appreciation for China, he concluded his answer to the Xinhua question by "xiexie," Chinese for "Thank you."
In the three-hour-long press conference, Atambayev reviewed his work in 2016 and answered more than 70 questions.
