China is willing to work with Uzbekistan to enrich comprehensive strategic partnership and expand two-way opening-up of markets, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday during his meeting with Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov in the capital city of Tashkent. 

Hailing Uzbekistan as a friendly neighbor of China, Li said the trade cooperation between the two countries has grown promisingly despite a global economic downturn. He called for the two countries to seize the opportunity of two-way opening-up of domestic markets, so as to boost bilateral trade and deepen practical cooperation in infrastructure, inter-connectivity, energy and a wide range of fields. 

Speaking highly of the current relations between the two countries, Li also said China is willing to share its developmental experiences with Uzbekistan and foster cultural exchanges between the two peoples. 

China supports Uzbekistan in selecting a path suitable to its own national conditions and pushing forward the cause of reform and opening-up, he added. 

For his part, Aripov said the Uzbek side attaches great importance to promoting ties with China, and is willing to expand bilateral trade investments, agricultural exports and people-to-people exchanges.

After the meeting, the two sides witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents. 

SCO development and multilateral cooperation

Premier Li is on his first official visit to Uzbekistan. He arrived in the country for the 18th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which is scheduled for November 1 and 2. 

Upon his arrival this afternoon, Li said that the SCO is playing an increasingly prominent role in maintaining regional security and stability, while promoting the development and prosperity of its member states.

During the SCO meeting, Li will work with other leaders of the SCO member states to plan future practical cooperation of the organization and sign cooperation documents.

The premier said he expects to have an in-depth exchange of views with all parties on implementing the consensus reached at the Bishkek Summit this June and promoting the SCO development and multilateral cooperation, so as to make greater contributions to the well-being of the people of all countries in the region.

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