Xi urges broader cooperation with Uzbekistan in building Belt and Road

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Chinese President Xi Jinping met with visiting Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday, urging broader cooperation with Uzbekistan under the Belt and Road Initiative.

China's President Xi Jinping and Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (R) inspect honour guards during a welcoming ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on May 12, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Before the meeting, President Xi held a welcoming ceremony outside the hall for President Mirziyoyev, who will also attend the Belt and Road Forum on May 14-15. The two presidents agreed to advance China-Uzbekistan relations and bring benefits to both peoples during the talks.

China's President Xi Jinping (L) and Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (2nd R) attend a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on May 12, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Xi said China is committed to developing an all-weather friendship with Uzbekistan, and is willing to keep close communication and coordination with Uzbekistan on international affairs, the Central Asia situation, and development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Xi noted Uzbekistan was one of the first countries to support and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. He added China wants to expand cooperation with Uzbekistan on capacity, investment, industrial parks and infrastructure construction under the initiative.

Mirziyoyev said China is a great neighbor for Uzbekistan. He expressed gratitude for China's support for Uzbekistan's development, and noted his country firmly adheres to the one-China policy.

Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan will maintain close high-level exchanges with China and enhance bilateral economic and trade cooperation, as well as ties in investment, capacity, infrastructure, water conservancy areas under the initiative.

After the talks, both presidents signed a joint communique.

China's President Xi Jinping (behind R) and Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (behind L) attend a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on May 12, 2017. /Reuters Photo

They also witnessed the inking of bilateral cooperation documents in fields including economic technology, communication and transportation, medical treatment, agriculture, hydroelectricity, small and medium enterprises, infrastructure, tourism, and exchanges at local levels.

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