Kyrgyzstan ratifies deal with China to build friendship bridge

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov has signed a law ratifying an agreement with China on the construction of the Kyrgyz-Chinese Friendship Bridge, his administration said.

The agreement was signed on Sept. 26, 2024, in Beijing and approved by the Kyrgyz Parliament on Feb. 12, 2025.

The deal paves the way for a 187-meter bridge at the Irkeshtam border crossing, along the Osh-Sary-Tash-Irkeshtam road in Kyrgyzstan’s Osh region. The bridge will be built by China, after which control of the section on Kyrgyz territory will be handed over to Kyrgyz authorities.

The ratification is expected to boost trade and economic ties between the two nations, address growing demand for passenger and freight transport, and enhance bilateral cooperation based on equality and mutual consultation.