China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway to become strategic channel benefiting three countries: Xi

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday expressed China's willingness to work with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to build the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project into a strategic channel benefiting the three countries and their people.

Xi made the remarks in a video message congratulating the signing of the intergovernmental agreement on the railway project among China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

"The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is a strategic project for connectivity between China and Central Asia, and a landmark project in Belt and Road cooperation among the three countries. The signing of the intergovernmental agreement provides a solid legal foundation for the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, marks that the project is turning from an idea into reality, and shows to the international community the three countries' determination of jointly enhancing cooperation and seeking development. China stands ready to work together with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to make further efforts in making all necessary preparations for the commencement of the construction, so as to ensure the early completion of the project, which will be a strategic channel benefiting the three countries and their people and driving economic and social development of the region," said Xi.

The signing ceremony of the intergovernmental agreement among the three countries on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project was held in Beijing on Thursday.

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev also sent congratulations via video messages.

China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway to become strategic channel benefiting three countries: Xi

China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway to become strategic channel benefiting three countries: Xi

The Philippines' trick to play victim and confuse the international community over the South China Sea issue will not get anywhere, Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.

Zhang made the remarks in response to the Philippine Coast Guard accusation of China of using large vessels to intimidate smaller Philippine ships.

"China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands and their adjacent waters. The maritime disputes between China and the Philippines are not a matter of size as who is big and who is small, but a matter of right and wrong. The Philippine side has repeatedly organized coast guard vessels and fishing boats to infringe upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, endanger peace and stability in the South China Sea, and attempt to play a pathetic game to gain sympathy and confuse the international public opinion. This is doomed to fail. We advise the Philippine side to immediately change course and return to the right track of resolving the issue with China through negotiation and consultation," Zhang said.

Defense Ministry spokesman dismisses Philippines' victim playing trick