Both China and Uzbekistan are satisfied with the development of mutually beneficial cooperation in the political, economic, cultural, scientific, technological and educational fields, and pledge to work harder to further promote their bilateral relationship.

The remarks were in a joint statement signed today by Chinese President Jiang Zemin and visiting Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov on the further growth of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Jiang and Karimov discussed bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common concern in a friendly and constructive atmosphere, the statement says.

It adds that the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to all the principles set out in the previous joint communiques and statements, based on the common aspiration of promoting a stable long-term friendly and cooperative relationship.

According to the statement, the two countries will continue to maintain and carry out various levels of political dialogs, including high-level exchanges of visit, which they believe is of great importance for promoting mutual understanding and trust.

The two countries' leaders place great importance on expanding mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation, and believe that the outcomes achieved in economy, trade, production and services are of profound importance, the statement says.

The two countries agreed to further tap potentials in textiles, home appliances, telecommunications, food and agricultural products processing, and to conduct various forms of mutually beneficial economic and technological cooperation, as well as promote mutual investment in areas of common interest, it says.

The statement also points out that priority should be given to transportation cooperation, and the two sides should coordinate entry and exit procedures for the transportation of goods, adding that they are satisfied with the progress made in rejuvenating the Silk Road through bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Both sides believe that it is imperative to speed up technological and economic discussions on the Kashi-Andizhan railway and preparations for signing a multilateral agreement after the completion of the Korla-Kashi railway in China, the statement says.

The two countries will encourage exchanges and cooperation in science, technology, culture, education, health, the media, tourism and sports, according to the statement, and the two governments will create conditions for this purpose.

Both sides also reiterated the need to cooperate in environmental protection, pollution control, and the prevention of the harmful effects of industries on nature, it adds.

In addition, enforcement departments of both countries, together with other concerned departments, will work together to prevent, combat, and investigate terrorist activities, organized transnational crimes, and the illegal planting, production, manufacture or smuggling of drugs, poisons and chemical products, the statement says.

The two sides also reaffirmed opposition to any forms of ethnic separatism, religious extremism, and international terrorism, as well as separatist activities and extremist acts targeting each other by any organization or force in either country.

They also oppose the incitement of contradictions among countries, ethnic groups and religions, the statement says, adding that they reaffirm mutual support for safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

China respects the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uzbekistan, and supports the efforts of its leadership to consolidate national independence, safeguard the constitutional system, and develop its national economy and implement social and economic reforms, the joint statement says.

Uzbekistan reiterates that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territories, it says, adding that the government of Uzbekistan opposes any attempt to create "two Chinas", or "one China, one Taiwan", and reaffirms that Uzbekistan will not establish any form of official relationship with Taiwan.

China highly values Uzbekistan's important role in central Asia, and its efforts to establish a nuclear-free zone in the region, it says, adding that China supports five countries in central Asia in their efforts to be included in such a zone, according to its consistent position on the issue.

Both sides also spoke highly of the efforts made by the countries seeking a peaceful solution of the conflicts in Afghanistan within the "six plus two" framework, it says, and they call on relevant parties in Afghanistan to take effective measures to realize national reconciliation and abide by the Tashkent Declaration.

Both sides share identical or similar views on many regional and international issues, and agreed to strengthen cooperation on these issues, according to the statement.

Both sides are fully prepared to promote cooperation in the United Nations to increase the role and authority of this most important international organization for maintaining world peace and security, it says, adding that they reaffirm their loyalty to the purpose of the United Nations Charter and norms of the international law, and adhere to the basic principles of respect for national sovereignty and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

They will work together to establish a just and reasonable new political and economic international order, the statement says.

President Karimov invited President Jiang to visit Uzbekistan, and Jiang accepted the invitation. The time of the visit will be discussed through diplomatic channels, the statement concludes.