Leaders Meet Nepal, Uzbekistan GuestsChinese Vice-President Hu Jintao said China would further strengthen ties with Uzbekistan. He said Friday that this included joint efforts to combat separatism, terrorism, religious extremism and other international crimes.Meanwhile, Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen also Friday met with visiting Nepalese Foreign Minister Chakra Bastola. Hu, who is also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in his meeting with visiting Uzbekistani Defence Minister Yuri Agzamov. China-Uzbekistan relations have seen sound development since the two countries forged diplomatic ties, Hu said. The expansion of such relations were "in the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples and conducive to regional peace, stability and development," he added. Hu spoke highly of Uzbekistan's consistent support to China on the Taiwan issue and said China would give Uzbekistan support in its effort to safeguard national stability, regional security and economic development. In another meeting, Qian said China and Nepal were close neighbours with a long history of friendly contact. During the 45 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries, in keeping with the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, had improved their political relations, enhanced economic and trade co-operation and developed their cultural ties, he said. Briefing his guest on China's strategy to develop its vast western areas, Qian said there was great potential for the two countries to develop together. |
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