Peng Liyuan and Kyrgyz First Lady Visit National Historical Museum in Bishkek

Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, visited the National Historical Museum of the Kyrgyz Republic in Bishkek alongside Kyrgyz First Lady Aigul Japarova. The two watched welcoming cultural performances, toured an exhibition on Kyrgyz traditional handicrafts, and visited a joint exhibition titled 'Harmony in Diversity: Art of Ancient Chinese Civilization.' Both sides emphasized the importance of preserving traditional heritage, expanding people-to-people exchanges, and fostering mutual cultural understanding between China and Kyrgyzstan.

Cultural diplomacy remains a central pillar of China's diplomatic outreach across Central Asia. High-level cultural engagements alongside bilateral summits serve to reinforce mutual goodwill, promote public diplomacy, and cultivate long-term public support for broader diplomatic and economic cooperation between Beijing and Bishkek.

On the morning of August 31, Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, visited the National Historical Museum of the Kyrgyz Republic in Bishkek alongside Aigul Japarova, wife of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, according to Chinese official media reports. Upon arrival, Peng and Japarova attended a welcoming performance before touring a traditional Kyrgyz cultural exhibition. Viewing displays of traditional costumes, woven carpets, and other artisanal crafts, Peng noted that the exhibits demonstrated the Kyrgyz nation's longstanding handicraft heritage and distinctive customs. She remarked that both China and Kyrgyzstan place great emphasis on preserving and transmitting traditional culture, expressing hope that both nations would continue to expand people-to-people exchanges and deepen mutual understanding. During the visit, the two first ladies also toured "Harmony in Diversity: Art of Ancient Chinese Civilization," an exhibition jointly organized by Chinese and Kyrgyz cultural authorities, and watched a presentation of traditional Kyrgyz ethnic apparel. Both expressed support for actively promoting civilizational dialogue, artistic collaboration, and cultural exchanges between the two countries. The National Historical Museum of the Kyrgyz Republic, located in the capital city of Bishkek, is the country's foremost state museum, housing extensive collections documenting the historical development and cultural heritage of the Kyrgyz people.