OREANDA-NEWS. January 11, 2012. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met with Chen Zhili, Vice Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of People’s Congress of China, at Oqsaroy.

She arrived in Uzbekistan as the special envoy of President of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao.

Welcoming the guest, the head of the state noted that Uzbekistan after gaining its independence has always relied on the strong support of China as a close neighbor and reliable partner in strive for development and prosperity.

Chen Zhili conveyed sincere congratulations on behalf of the Chinese government in connection with the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations established between our two countries marked these days.

She mentioned China’s willingness to make all efforts for the dynamic development of multifaceted mutually beneficial ties with Uzbekistan in the spirit of the treaty on partnership relations of friendship and cooperation signed in May 2005 and principal agreements reached during the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to PRC in April 2011.

Uzbekistan and China have been deepening and enhancing long-term cooperation on the basis of equality, mutual respect and confidence.

An open and fruitful political dialogue across the entire spectrum of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, in which inter-parliamentary ties play an important role, established between Uzbekistan and China within a historically short period of time.

The two sides have been notably expanding also cultural and humanitarian, scientific and technical exchange.

The sides have fostered diplomatic cooperation to a higher stage. Noteworthy is proximity and coincidence of positions on pressing issues of international and regional plan.

The two nations closely cooperate within the framework of the UN, SCO and other multilateral authoritative political organizations and financial institutions.

At the meeting, it was noted that the steady growth of bilateral trade has increased four times in the last five years and reached, according to data of the Uzbek side, about USD 2.2 billion in January-November 2011.

More than 380 enterprises with Chinese capital including 58 with 100% its investments operate in Uzbekistan.

Representative offices of China’s 65 major companies open in Uzbekistan have been making contribution to strengthening the economic and trade ties.

The sides exchanged views on further development of Uzbek-Chinese relations during the thorough conversation at the Oqsaroy residence.