Tashkent, Beijing boost ties

Beijing pays special emphasis in developing ties with Uzbekistan, Chen Zhili, special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao said at a reception organised by the Chinese embassy in Tashkent where he participated in the events dedicated to the 20th anniversary of establishing the diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and China, Uzbekreport.com reported.

The Chinese envoy expressed the readiness of China to be a true partner and friend of Uzbekistan. Citing the new directions of relations between the two countries, Zilli said that various opportunities and broad prospects will open.

"We are ready to implement the agreements reached by our leaders together with the Uzbek side, to strengthen mutual political trust and to intensify the mutually beneficial co-operation in all fields," Chen said. She recalled that Hu and Uzbek President Islam Karimov announced the course of creating partnership relations, friendship and co-operation between the two countries in 2004.

The agreement on partnership relations, friendship and co-operation between the two countries was signed by the leaders of both countries in May 2005.

The Chinese envoy met with President of the Uzbek Senate Ilgizar Sabirov to further discuss relations between their two countries. Chen, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), conveyed to Sabirov greetings from China's top legislator Wu Bangguo. Chen noted that the friendly and co-operative relations between China and Uzbekistan have developed smoothly since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Uzbekistan 20 years ago. The past two decades has witnessed frequent high-level exchanges and an ever-expanding pragmatic co-operation in various fields between the two countries, Chen said.

The meeting between the two countries' heads of state in Beijing last April elevated the co-operative friendly ties to a new level, Chen said. According to Chen, inter-parliamentary co-operation is an essential part of relations between the two countries. The exchange of visits between Wu Bangguo and Sabirov last year gave a powerful impetus to inter-parliamentary co-operation between the two sides, she added. Chen said the NPC is willing to further enhance exchanges and co-operation with the Uzbek parliament, and to make greater contribution to the development of bilateral ties.

 In turn, Sabirov said that Chen’s visit will contribute to comprehensive deepening of the traditional friendship and mutually beneficial co-operation between the two countries. He acknowledged that Uzbekistan attaches great importance to its relations with China, and sees China as a reliable co-operative partner and good friend as well.