Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Friday for the 18th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and an official visit.

Upon Li's arrival, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and other senior Uzbek officials greeted the Chinese premier at the airport. Later, a grand welcome ceremony was held in his honor. 

Noting that Uzbekistan is a friendly neighbor of China, Li said this is his first official visit to the country as Chinese premier.

Li said he looks forward to having an in-depth exchange of views with Uzbek leaders on deepening bilateral relations and practical cooperation in various fields so as to lift the China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level and better benefit the two peoples.

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.

Read more:

Premier Li calls for closer China-Uzbekistan ties in signed article

Premier Li to visit Uzbekistan, Thailand for SCO, East Asia meetings