[Photo/ China Women's News]

Shen Yueyue, vice-chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), delivered a keynote speech at the 9th China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum via video link. The forum was held in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, on July 13.

Shen, also president of the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), said that  China-Central Asia relations have entered into a new era following a video summit attended by heads of state early this year to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and five Central Asian countries.

She stressed that the commitment to the principle of mutual respect, good neighborliness, solidarity and mutual benefits is essential to the steady and sustained growth of China-Central Asia relations.

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China to be held this year will provide new opportunities for friendly cooperation between China and Central Asian countries, she added.

She called for efforts to implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and build an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.