China willing to enhance bilateral relations with Uzbekistan to new level: Chinese FM
Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Wednesday that China is willing to work with Uzbekistan to push bilateral relations to a new level.
Qin, who added that the two sides have agreed to practice the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, made the remarks when meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent.
The Chinese foreign minister called on the two sides to implement the five-year plan for economic, trade and investment cooperation and urged more efforts to achieve an annual trade turnover of $10 billion set by the two heads of state and the early construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway to help regional connectivity.
New energy cooperation should be expanded to optimize energy structure and maintain energy security, Qin said. He also called for local and non-governmental exchanges and cooperation to consolidate the foundation of friendship between the two peoples.
China highly appreciates Uzbekistan’s valuable support on issues concerning China’s core interests, Qin said. He pledged support for Uzbekistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and promoting reform and development.
Qin said China opposes interference by any external forces in Uzbekistan’s internal affairs and stands ready to work with Uzbekistan to jointly combat the “three forces” of terrorism, separatism and extremism, with the aim of safeguarding the peace and stability of the two countries and the region.
The foreign minister hailed Uzbekistan’s contribution to preparing for the fourth foreign ministers’ meeting among the neighboring countries of Afghanistan, adding that China will work with Uzbekistan to push for the success of the meeting.
Mirziyoyev hailed China’s development achievements. He added that bilateral relations have been elevated to a high level as the two heads of state met last year.
The Uzbek side cherishes China’s support and will continue to firmly adhere to the one-China principle and build a community with a shared future for mankind, he said.
Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan will make good preparations for the meeting of the China-Uzbekistan intergovernmental cooperation committee, and called for the expansion of cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, new energy, infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges.
He also said he expects to attend the China-Central Asia Summit and the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
Expand all-round China-Uzbekistan cooperation
On the same day, Qin met with Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov, and the two sides pledged to expand all-round China-Uzbekistan cooperation to bring benefits to the two peoples.
Qin called for deepening practical cooperation to achieve common development, adding that China encourages more Chinese enterprises to do business and invest in Uzbekistan.
The Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China have gained wide support in the international community, Qin said. He expressed willingness to work with Uzbekistan to jointly practice the three initiatives.
Saidov said that with the Uzbekistan-China comprehensive strategic partnership maturing, Uzbekistan expects to deepen all-round cooperation with China and learn from China’s experience in areas such as poverty alleviation.
The Uzbek side welcomes Chinese investment in its country, and will fully support and participate in Belt and Road cooperation to build the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway as a benchmark project to strengthen connectivity in Eurasia, he said.
