China, Uzbekistan reaffirm commitment to strengthening ties

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (R) shakes hands with Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, during their meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on March 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Cai Guodong)

TASHKENT, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met here on Monday with Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, with both sides reaffirming commitment to strengthening ties.

Yang said that the bilateral relationship has developed rapidly in recent years and is showing a strong momentum, under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his counterpart Mirziyoyev, who have met for three consecutive years.

China is willing to work closely with Uzbekistan to strengthen high-level exchanges, set goals for the development of bilateral ties under new circumstances, step up strategic coordination, expand all-round cooperation, cultivate new growth points under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), deepen people-to-people exchanges, safeguard common interests, and achieve common development and prosperity, Yang said.

China thanks Uzbekistan for sending medical equipment to assist its anti-virus efforts, Yang said, adding that under the leadership of President Xi, the Chinese people are working together to fight the COVID-19 epidemic. He also noted that the initial achievement has been made and a positive trend is actively showing in the prevention and control of the epidemic.

The Chinese people are confident and capable of conquering the disease, and will continue to actively conduct bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the fight against the spread of the virus, and make new contributions to maintaining regional and global public health security.

Mirziyoyev voiced support for China's anti-virus fight. Under President Xi's leadership, the Chinese people will definitely succeed in completely conquering the disease, he said.

Uzbekistan cherishes its friendship with China and thanks China for supporting its reforms and development. Uzbekistan will firmly adhere to the one-China policy, oppose external forces interfering in China's internal affairs, further strengthen the link between Uzbekistan's development strategy and the BRI, continue to deepen cooperation with China in various fields, and promote the bilateral relationship to a new level.

Yang also met with Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov on Monday.