Uzbek, Chinese Leaders Discuss Bilateral, International Issues

Chinese Vice Premier Meets Uzbek President

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Uzbek President Islam Karimov met Wednesday in Tashkent with visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Lanqing and the two sides reached broad consensus on bilateral ties and a wide range of international issues.

Li said the frequent exchanges of high-level visits between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations nine years ago, especially the excellent working relationship between Karimov and Chinese President Jiang Zemin, have greatly boosted bilateral cooperation.

Karimov, for his part, said his excellent personal relationship with Jiang has vigorously enhanced the establishment of lasting and stable bilateral ties of mutual benefit and mutual trust.

The two sides also exchanged views on maintaining regional security and stability and vowed to work together on the earlier signing of bilateral documents on the joint fight against ethnic separatism, religious extremism and international terrorism.

The leaders also discussed cooperation in education, science, culture, health and sports.

Li, who arrived here earlier Wednesday on a two-day official visit, also met with Uzbek Supreme Assembly Speaker Erkin Khalilov. The two sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral parliamentary cooperation.

Also on Wednesday, Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Zhang Deguang and Uzbek Foreign Minister Adbulaziz Kamilov signed two documents on China's provision of assistance and interest-free loans to Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan is the first leg of Li's three-nation Eurasia tour. He will also visit Georgia and France.