Chinese President holds welcoming ceremony for Kyrgyz counterpart

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L, front) and his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev inspect the guard of honor during a welcoming ceremony for Atambayev at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 5, 2012. The Kyrgyz president was in Beijing to attend the 12th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on June 6-7. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev during a welcoming ceremony for Atambayev at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 5, 2012. During the visit to China, the Kyrgyz president will attend the 12th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Beijing on June 6-7. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) holds a welcoming ceremony for his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 5, 2012. During the visit to China, the Kyrgyz president will attend the 12th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Beijing on June 6-7. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) holds a welcoming ceremony for his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev (C) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 5, 2012. During the visit to China, the Kyrgyz president will attend the 12th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Beijing on June 6-7. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday held talks with his Kyrgyz counterpart, Almazbek Atambayev, in Beijing on bilateral ties and other issues of common concern.

Hu welcomed the visiting Kyrgyz president and said Atambayev's first China visit is hugely significant for the relations between the two nations.

Atambayev said his trip to Beijing is sure to be a great influence on him personally.

Hailing China's achievements in economic and social progress, Atambayev said China is playing a vital role in global efforts to address the ongoing financial crisis.

On Tuesday morning, Hu held a red-carpet ceremony to welcome Atambayev at the Great Hall of the People before their formal talks.

The Kyrgyz president arrived in Beijing on Monday evening. During his time in China, Atambayev will attend the 12th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, scheduled to be held in Beijing on Wednesday and Thursday.