Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Uzbekistan on Wednesday for a state visit.

Xi will also attend the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Uzbek city of Samarkand.

He was welcomed by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and other Uzbek officials including Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov.

In a written statement, Xi said the friendship between China and Uzbekistan has spanned over 2,000 years and is still brimming with vigor and vitality.

The China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership has steered onto the fast track of development, he said, adding that he will have in-depth discussions with Mirziyoyev on how to deepen cooperation between their countries.

The Chinese president said he looks forward to attending the SCO Samarkand Summit, and working with all parties to carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the sound and steady development of the SCO.

(Cover: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Samarkand to pay a state visit to Uzbekistan and attend the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, September 14, 2022. /Xinhua)