China is set to reopen its Consulate General in Osh, marking the restoration of its diplomatic presence in southern Kyrgyzstan after a suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev announced that he has signed the exequatur officially recognizing the authority of China's new consul and authorizing the diplomat to carry out consular duties in Kyrgyzstan, The Caspian Post reports via AkiPress.

Kulubaev noted that the Chinese Consulate General had previously operated in Osh but suspended its activities during the pandemic. Since then, the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry has received repeated requests from citizens to restore the diplomatic mission.

The minister added that Kyrgyzstan has completed all the necessary procedures to resume the consulate's operations.