Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will travel to Uzbekistan and Thailand to attend a number of multilateral meetings and pay official visits starting from November 1, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. 

At the invitation of Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov, Li will attend the 18th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tashkent. 

He will also attend the 22nd China-ASEAN leaders' meeting, the 22nd ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea leaders' meeting, and the 14th East Asia Summit in Bangkok at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha. 

SCO meetings in Tashkent 

Chen Xiaodong, Assistant Foreign Minister of China, said at a press conference Monday that Li's upcoming visit is of great significance to implement the results of the Bishkek summit this June, promote the pragmatic cooperation of the SCO, and deepen friendship with relevant countries. 

During the meetings, Li is expected to introduce China's successful experience in the past seven decades, highlight the results of the Bishkek summit, and exchange ideas with SCO members in cooperation in areas such as Belt and Road Initiative, trade, interconnectivity, finance and investment, Chen introduced. 

Chen added that a joint statement will be signed and published during the meetings. 

Assistant Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang said at the presser that China hopes to take the SCO as a platform to push the construction of Belt and Road to achieve common prosperity. 

Official visit to Uzbekistan 

Chen said this will be the first time for Li to visit Uzbekistan, which is an important comprehensive strategic partner of China and also a key player to cooperate with in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. 

During the visit, China and Uzbekistan will sign a series of cooperative deals covering trade, investment, technology and customs. 

Li Chenggang added that the two sides will exchange ideas in improving cooperation in technology, infrastructure construction and resources development. 

East Asia meetings in Bangkok 

Chen said China expects the meetings to focus on multilateralism, free trade and management of disputes via dialogues. 

He said Li will elaborate China's proposals of East Asia cooperation and put forward about 20 of them to deepen cooperation under various mechanisms. 

Li Chenggang said the meetings are expected to push forward regional economic integration, promote common prosperity and development in the region and send positive signals in building an open economy. 

Official visit to Thailand 

Chen said Thailand is China's friendly neighbor and an important partner in Belt and Road, adding this will be Premier Li's sixth visit to Thailand. 

During Li's visit, he and Thailand leader will exchange views on bilateral ties and cooperation. The two sides will publish a joint statement and sign deals in areas such as technology and e-commerce. 

Li Chenggang said China and Thailand will discuss the high-quality development of Belt and Road and the promotion of cooperation in trade and investment, infrastructure construction, interconnectivity and so on. 

He added Li's visit will push China-Thailand trade ties to a new level. 

(Cover: File photo of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang)