China Recognizes Border Republics

CHINA announced yesterday it had established full diplomatic relations with the former Soviet republic of Kirghizia.

The move now gives China formal ties with all the former Soviet republics on its sensitive border.

The two sides signed a joint communique in the Kirghiz capital, Bishkek, on Sunday, the New China News Agency reported.

Chinese officials had already established relations with Russia, which borders it to the north, and the former Soviet republics of Tadzhikistan and Kazakhstan, which with Kirghizia, border it on the northwest.

Beijing has announced full diplomatic relations with the former republics of the Ukraine and Uzbekistan, and is working hard to establish ties with the remaining members of the Commonwealth of Independent States and Georgia.