Relations between Uzbekistan and China have been developing steadily in politics, economy and culture, Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Sodyk Safayev said Thursday in Tashkent.

During an interview with a delegation of Chinese journalists, Safayev said his country and China signed scores of agreements on cooperation during Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Uzbekistan last June, elevating bilateral ties to a new level.

As a big country, China plays a special role in the world and represents a crucial factor in maintaining security and stability in Central Asia, he said.

The two countries have identical or similar views on international and regional issues, Safayev said.

The minister reiterated the country's adherence to the one-China policy and its willingness to have close cooperation with Beijing in jointly combating separatism, religious extremism and international terrorism.

He said national interest is at the core of Uzbekistan's foreign policy and that its priority is to safeguard stability and security in the region and to maintain economic relations with all other countries.

Safayev also said his country appreciates China's rapid economic development and hopes to strengthen further cooperation in economy and trade.