President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay a state visit to China from January 23 to 25 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday. 

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 32 years ago, China and Uzbekistan have treated each other with respect, enjoyed good neighborliness and mutual benefits, and kept solidarity in trying times, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning during a regular press briefing.

"The upcoming visit to China by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev early in the new year fully reflects the strength of our bilateral relations and the deep friendship between the two heads of state," she told reporters.

Mao added that the two countries are looking to hold events on culture, education and sub-national cooperation, deepen cooperation across the board and bring more benefits to the two countries and two peoples.

(Cover: File photo of Chinese Foreign Ministry. /Xinhua)