China, Uzbekistan sign joint statement to boost economic ties, fight terrorism
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Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Uzbek counterpart Islam Karimov have signed a joint statement to boost bilateral economic cooperation and make more coordinated effort to fight terrorism.
According to the joint statement signed by Hu and Karimov after their talks in Tashkent on Wednesday, China and Uzbekistan "will continue to push forward bilateral economic and trade cooperation and jointly take measures to further improve their trading structure and increase the two-way trade volume."
The two sides agreed to fully implement a long-term trade agreement signed in late 2009, according to the statement.
The leaders of the two countries spoke highly of the China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline project and bilateral cooperation in energy and resources exploration, development and trade, saying they will provide what is needed for the building and safe, stable operation of the China-Uzbekistan natural gas pipeline.
While agreeing to make efforts to enhance bilateral trade in natural resources, the two sides also noted that non-resources and high-tech sectors should be a key part of their upcoming cooperation.
Besides, the two sides also vowed to enhance coordination at international and regional economic and financial organizations.
In the statement, China and Uzbekistan pledged to step up coordination and cooperation between their related government departments.
The two sides said they would continue to adopt effective measures to jointly fight all forms of terrorism, including the "Eastern Turkistan" terrorist forces, in a bid to maintain peace and tranquility in the two countries and in the region.
Terrorism, separatism and extremism are still the main threats to regional security and stability, they said, vowing to make a more coordinated effort to fight them in the region.
The two sides believed that it is necessary to take more coordinated steps to continue fighting various forms of religious extremism that has posed serious threats to regional security and stability.
China and Uzbekistan promised to exchange information in a timely manner within bilateral framework and strengthen coordination between related government departments to ensure the security of the Shanghai Expo and Guangzhou Asian Games in China.
They also agreed to continue to boost cooperation in their fight against the illegal trafficking of narcotic and psychotropic drugs.
The Chinese president on Wednesday started a state visit to Uzbekistan, where he met with Karimov and will also attend a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on Friday.
Hu will conclude his visit in Uzebekistan and fly to Kazakhstan Friday.
