Editor's Note: President Xi Jinping continued his schedule of bilateral meetings on Tuesday with leaders who attended the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. The following are highlights of the talks as reported by China Daily.

Kyrgyzstan

China and Kyrgyzstan are both important forces in safeguarding regional security and stability, President Xi Jinping said on May 16 while meeting with Kyrgyzstan President Almazbek Atambayev in Beijing.

The two sides should strengthen cooperation in anti-terrorism and law enforcement security, and jointly safeguard the security and stability of the two countries and regions, Xi said.

China supports Kyrgyzstan in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and backs the development path chosen by Kyrgyzstan and its domestic and foreign policies, Xi said.

The two countries have carried out cooperation energetically in the past three years in building the Belt and Road.

Their achievements are remarkable and they should effectively implement key cooperation projects, the president said.

Atambayev said the Belt and Road Initiative will help strengthen international cooperation and enhance mutual understanding and mutual trust among various parties.

Kyrgyzstan appreciates the lasting and strong support as well as the help offered by China, and will firmly support China's position on issues related to its core interests and major concerns, he said.

Kyrgyzstan is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in areas such as the economy, trade and security, and will actively promote construction of major infrastructure projects, he said.

Laos

China and Laos should work together to safeguard the overall situation of China-ASEAN ties as well as regional peace and stability, President Xi Jinping said on May 16.

Xi, while meeting in Beijing with Laos President Bounnhang Vorachith, said China appreciates Laos' support and participation in building the Belt and Road and is willing to take this as a chance to deepen mutual cooperation, achieve win-win development and jointly shape a better future.

Cooperation between the two nations should be strengthened, and they should expand the sharing of experience related to governing their respective countries and parties, Xi said.

The two countries should further their cooperation on development strategies and closely work together on key projects to benefit the public, Xi said.

Bounnhang said Laos is satisfied with the progress of bilateral projects under the framework of building the Belt and Road.

"We hope to maintain close contact between the leaders of the two parties," he said, as well as strengthening the sharing of experience on governance and deepen cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, investment and infrastructure.

After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of cooperative documents regarding the Belt and Road, economy, education and electricity.

Belarus

China and Belarus should strengthen communication on policies, boost links between their development strategies and foster new highlights of growth, President Xi Jinping said while meeting with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on May 16.

In September, China and Belarus established a comprehensive strategic partnership of mutual trust and win-win cooperation, which ushered in a new stage of development of China-Belarus relations, Xi said.

Both sides firmly support each other on issues regarding core interests and major concerns, and their pragmatic cooperation provides good momentum for every dimension and level, Xi said.

The two countries should deepen economic and trade cooperation and investment, promote the balanced and sustainable development of trade and advance the construction of a China-Belarus industrial park, Xi said.

China regards Belarus as an important partner for building the Belt and Road and is willing to tap into the full potential of its cooperation for win-win development, Xi said.

Lukashenko said China and Belarus are sincere partners and their mutual trust, friendship and cooperation have deepened since the establishment of diplomatic ties 25 years ago.

Belarus is willing to expand cooperation with China in areas such as economy and trade, investment, production capacity, science and technology, sports and tourism, he said.

Italy

China and Italy should expand two-way investment, promote construction of industrial parks and strengthen cooperation in e-commerce and innovation, President Xi Jinping said in a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni on May 16.

Xi said both China and Italy are important members of the international community and the two sides should maintain the momentum of the high-level exchanges they have built up.

China welcomes the active participation of Italy in building the Belt and Road and supports companies of the two countries carrying out cooperation in ports, shipbuilding and shipping.

Xi said he hopes Italy continues playing a positive role in the European Union and maintains good momentum to strengthen China-Europe ties.

Gentiloni said the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation has sent a positive signal to the world on promoting an open international economy and trade, in which Italy is ready to take part.

In recent years, the Italy-China relationship has developed well, he said, adding that Italy adheres to the one-China policy and attaches great importance to developing relations with China.

Italy hopes to maintain high-level exchanges with China and strengthen cooperation in areas such as economy, technology, agriculture, health, education, culture, tourism and small and medium-sized enterprises, he said.

Sri Lanka

It's a long-term and strategic choice for China to maintain friendly relations with Sri Lanka, President Xi Jinping said on May 16, while calling for joint efforts to push forward major projects.

Xi met with Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who attended the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on May 14 and 15.

Noting that this year marks the 60th anniversary of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations, Xi said China attaches great importance to the development of ties with Sri Lanka. China supports Sri Lanka's efforts to safeguard national unity, peace and ethnic reconciliation, Xi said.

The two countries should push forward with cooperation on infrastructure construction, shipping and aviation to boost interconnectivity, Xi said.

China would like to enhance exchanges with Sri Lanka in areas including young people, think tanks, colleges, media, tourism and local-level governments, Xi said.

The Sri Lankan prime minister congratulated Xi on the success of the Belt and Road Forum. Sri Lanka welcomes China to join its process of industrialization, especially in infrastructure construction, he said.

Sri Lanka is willing to make joint efforts with China to push forward the Hambantota harbor and Colombo Port City projects smoothly, he said.

Fiji

China encourages more domestic companies to invest in Fiji and more tourists to travel to the Pacific island nation for sightseeing, President Xi Jinping told Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama on May 16.

China would like to enhance cooperation with Fiji in such areas as trade, investment, agricultural technology and green development, Xi said.

Noting that Fiji is the first Pacific island country to establish diplomatic ties with China, Xi said China-Fiji relations have reached a higher level since the two countries established their strategic partnership in 2014 on the basis of mutual respect and joint development.

The two countries have boosted political trust continuously, expanded pragmatic cooperation and more recently strengthened people-to-people exchanges, Xi said, adding that the two sides should make efforts to benefit both peoples.

Xi called on the two countries to continue to support each other on issues related to their core interests and major concerns. Both also should expand exchanges in education and culture, Xi said.

China would like to maintain close communication and coordination on issues such as climate change under the United Nations framework, he added.

Bainimarama congratulated Xi on the success of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Fiji supports the Belt and Road and expects to cooperate with China on the initiative, he said.

Serbia

China and Serbia should speed up implementing their memorandum of understanding on jointly building the Belt and Road and advance cooperation in key areas such as infrastructure construction and energy, President Xi Jinping said while meeting with Serbia Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic.

Xi congratulated Vucic on winning Serbia's election.

China is willing to make joint efforts with Serbia strengthening their friendship, deepening cooperation in all areas and pushing forward the development of their comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said.

The president encouraged speeding up their joint development strategy under the new arrangement. Both countries also should learn each other's major concerns and enhance communication in international and regional affairs, he said.

The two nations also should deepen cooperation and work together on key projects, Xi said. Serbia should take the lead to establish a China-Central and Eastern European transportation infrastructure cooperation center, Xi added.

Calling China a firm friend and reliable partner, Vucic said Serbia has benefited from his attendance at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, adding that building the Belt and Road will bond Serbia more tightly with China.

(China Daily European Weekly 05/19/2017 page10)