Sister city since: November 15, 2016

Overview

Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan. As one of the major cities of Central Asia, it is the political, economic, scientific and cultural center in Kyrgyzstan. It also serves as the transportation hub of the country. The city covers an area of 127 square kilometers with a population of 940,000. The city was founded in 1878 and known as Frunze since 1926. In 1991, it was renamed Bishkek. It used to be one of key cities along the ancient Silk Road. The city is the largest industrial center of the country and its major industrial sectors are machine building, metal processing and food industry.

Relations with Wuhan

The exchanges between Wuhan and Bishkek started in 2016. Over the past years, there have been exchanges of high-level visits and robust friendly interactions, either between governments or businesses.

In July 2016, at the invitation of Bishkek, Wuhan senior officials led a delegation to Bishkek. During this trip, the delegation attended the 2016 Silk Road National Commodities Exhibition and the 3rd Issyk-Kul Economic Forum. What’s more, an agreement to establish friendly exchanges relationship between Wuhan and Bishkek was signed.

In September 2016, Mr. Zalaykov, Executive Deputy Mayor of Bishkek led a delegation to attend the Great River Dialogue 2016 held in Wuhan.

In November 2016, Premier Li Keqiang paid a visit to Kyrgyzstan, during which Mr. Xiao Qinghua, Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, on behalf of Wuhan, signed an agreement with Bishkek on establishing sister city relations with Mr. Ibrahimov, Mayor of Bishkek.

In August 2017, a delegation from Wuhan paid a visit to Bishkek and attended the Issyk-Kul Economic Forum.

In November 2018, a delegation of Bishkek City Council came to Wuhan and attended the 2018 China International Friendship Cities Conference. The delegation had first-hand experience of Wuhan’s latest developments.