Kyrgyzstan to deepen relations with China, says new president

BISHKEK, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyzstan will deepen relations with China in the spirit of good-neighborliness and strategic partnership, the new President Sooronbai Jeenbekov said here Friday.

The president made the remarks during his inauguration ceremony after winning 54.77 percent of votes in the Oct. 15 presidential election.

During the ceremony, the chairwoman of the Central Election Commission Nurzhan Shaildabekova handed Jeenbekov a certificate, a badge and a standard of the president.

Further, Jeenbekov swore an oath to the people on the country's constitution and delivered an inaugural speech.

"Relations with the People's Republic of China will deepen in the spirit of good-neighborliness and strategic partnership," Jeenbekov said in his speech.

During the speech, Jeenbekov said that the Central Asian country's main directions in foreign policy, as before, would be the protection of national interests and the creation of favorable external conditions for the country's sustainable social and economic development.

He also noted that Kyrgyzstan will continue to actively participate in international affairs and integration processes through international organizations and regional structures including the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Some 450 people were invited to the inauguration ceremony, including representatives of the public, artists and scientists, members of parliament, members of the government, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of international organizations.