Chinese premier calls for deeper ties with Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Nov. 28 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday that his country is ready to explore new cooperation fields with Uzbekistan and push bilateral relations to a new high.

Li made the remarks during a meeting with Uzbek President Islam Karimov. "Uzbekistan is a reliable, good friend and partner for China in Central Asia," Li said.

Noting Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit to the country, which injected strong impetus into bilateral ties, Li said China is willing to work with Uzbekistan to implement the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries.

Meanwhile, China is also ready to continuously expand new areas of cooperation with Uzbekistan so as to elevate their strategic partnership to a higher level, the Chinese premier said.

The sound development of China-Uzbekistan relations is based on deep political mutual trust between the two countries, Li said, adding that their cooperation is aimed at achieving win-win results based on equality and without preconditions.

The two countries have already witnessed fruitful cooperation in energy, and may take advantage of each other's complementarity to further deepen energy cooperation and make progress in all other areas as well, he said.

"The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has become an effective mechanism and a reliable guarantee for maintaining regional security and promoting common development," Li said.

The Chinese premier said he will join hands with other leaders attending the upcoming SCO meeting to push forward the implementation of the results of the SCO summit in Bishkek, and deepen practical cooperation in security, economic and cultural fields.

Maintaining regional peace and stability so as to create a favorable environment for regional development is in the interests of all Central Asian countries, Li said, adding China is willing to communicate and coordinate with countries in the region closely with a view to building a Central Asia of lasting peace and common prosperity.

Karimov said he believes Li's visit will further advance the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China, which has solid foundation and broad prospect for development.

China has been sticking to the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, said the Uzbek president, adding that his country is ready to join hands with China to enhance their cooperation and benefit the two peoples.

Li arrived here Thursday after wrapping up a visit to Romania, where he also attended a China-Central and Eastern Europe leaders' meeting.