Li Peng, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, met visiting Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov on the afternoon of November 9.

Li said China is happy to see that Uzbekistan has made remarkable progress in its economic recovery, social development and the improvement of its people's lives.

China and Uzbekistan have maintained a good relationship since the two forged diplomatic ties eight years ago, Li said, adding that bilateral cooperation in politics, economy, science, technology and international affairs has been reinforced as a result of the Uzbek president's efforts to enhance Sino-Uzbek relations.

He also said that there are neither historical problems nor estrangement in Sino-Uzbek relations, and it is China's consistent policy to develop its ties with Uzbekistan.

Li expressed the conviction that bilateral relations will be furthered by the joint efforts of both sides.

The NPC chairman said that the parliaments of the two countries have also conducted satisfactory exchanges, noting that China values cooperation between the two parliaments, which will boost the comprehensive growth of bilateral relations.

Karimov told Li that he had extensive and in-depth talks with President Jiang Zemin on Uzbekistan-China relations and regional issues, and that a number of agreements have been signed on boosting friendly ties. He also said that one of the major tasks of his present China trip is to enhance bilateral economic and trade relations.

He said that the success of China's reform has shown that the country has found a development path which suits China's national conditions. China's reform experience is unique, he added.