Premier Li Keqiang has met the Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Tajik prime ministers on the sidelines of the 12th prime ministers’ meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent.

During his meeting with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Zhantoro Satybaldiyev, Li said China will work with Kyrgyzstan to strengthen cooperation in areas such as energy, transport infrastructure and animal husbandry, and push forward the ties for the benefit of both peoples. Satybaldiyev noted that his country welcomes more Chinese investment and promised to work with China in combating the “three evil forces” of terrorism, separatism and extremism.

During his meeting with Kazakh Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov, Li called for more practical cooperation in various areas and highlighted the role of the bilateral cooperation committee in promoting balanced trade. Akhmetov said Kazakhstan will work closely with China to improve the well-being of peoples in the region.

Li also met Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda. He said China is willing to boost mutual trust and bilateral cooperation to a higher level. Rasulzoda expressed his willingness to promote cooperation to enrich the two sides’ strategic partnership.