China calls for improved partnership with Uzbekistan

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday held phone talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, stressing that China is willing to push forward the China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership so as to benefit the two peoples.
Xi hailed China’s ties with Uzbekistan, saying the two countries supported each other during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as on issues related to each other’s core interests.
According to Xi, the two countries have also effectively defended their common interests through close coordination in international and global affairs.
Noting that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 30th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s national independence, Xi said China is ready to work with Uzbekistan to continue advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership with the country to pursue common development and prosperity and bring benefits to the two peoples.
Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The Chinese president called on the Uzbek side to upgrade the scale, quality and level of the bilateral cooperation and strengthen the integration between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Uzbekistan’s Development Strategy.
The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in economic and trade, connectivity and security under the BRI framework, enhance exchanges of experience in poverty alleviation and step up cooperation and coordination to jointly maintain regional safety and stability.
Mirziyoyev echoed Xi’s words by saying that international relations should be built on mutual respect and equality while the international community should cooperate together to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
–The Daily Mail-CGTN
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