China eyes all-weather friendship with Uzbekistan for common prosperity

World
Europe

China is willing to develop all-weather friendship with Uzbekistan on the path of their reform and revitalization to realize common prosperity, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Saturday.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who is in the coastal city of Qingdao to attend the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.

Xi pointed out China and Uzbekistan are good neighbors, sincere friends with mutual trust and good win-win partners.

Bilateral ties of comprehensive strategic partnership have been continuously developed and important consensus reached by heads of states of the two countries is being well implemented, Xi added.

The Chinese president stressed that Uzbekistan is the first country to support and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and fruitful results have been achieved through the two sides' joint efforts.

Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrives at Qingdao Liuting International Airport in Qingdao, China's Shandong Province, June 8, 2018. /VCG Photo

He hoped that the two sides could seize the opportunities, tap their potential, steadily develop bilateral trade, deepen cooperation in capacity, investment and interconnection, strengthen security cooperation and expand cultural exchanges.

Mirziyoyev said bilateral ties are at the best level in history which have brought tangible benefits to the people of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and resolutely supports China's fight against the "three evil forces" and is willing to deepen pragmatic cooperation with China under the Belt and Road Initiative, he said, adding that his country will also strengthen communication and coordination with China in regional affairs.