Li hails stable ties with central Asian nation, calls for more BRI cooperation

China and Uzbekistan pledged on Tuesday to further advance bilateral cooperation in areas of trade, investment, agriculture and connectivity projects related to the Belt and Road Initiative.

Premier Li Keqiang and visiting Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation documents which include an agreement on mutually simplifying the procedures for application of business visas after their official talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

In his opening speech, Li hailed the stable development of ties between China and Uzbekistan since they established diplomatic ties in 1992, and he highlighted the steady growth of bilateral trade volume over the past several years.

"Given the sluggishness of the world economy, the rapid growth in bilateral trade demonstrates the two countries have strong complementarities in their economies," Li told Aripov.

He added that there remains vast potential for the two countries to develop further cooperation that will benefit the well-being of the two peoples and also contribute to upholding peace, stability and development in the region.

Saying China considers relations with Uzbekistan highly important, Li said that it stands ready to strengthen high-level exchanges, promote liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment and intensify communication and coordination in regional and international affairs.

China is willing to align the BRI with the development strategies of Uzbekistan and deepen cooperation with the central Asian country in the fields of industrial capacity, mutual connectivity, agriculture and energy, Li said.

Li added that China is ready to continue to boost bilateral trade and import more products from Uzbekistan that meet the needs of the Chinese market.

Highlighting Beijing's support for Chinese companies investing and operating in Uzbekistan in line with market rules and business principles, Li expressed hope that the central Asian country will create a sound business environment.

Li also stressed the need to consolidate public support for friendly relations between the two countries through cooperation in culture, tourism and higher education programs.

Aripov told his Chinese counterpart that Uzbekistan remains committed to intensifying its participation in the BRI and deepening bilateral cooperation in various fields, and it welcomes Chinese companies to expand investment in the country to move bilateral ties to a higher level.

Aripov congratulated Li on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. He said China has made remarkable achievements in its development over the past decades and also made positive contributions to stability and prosperity in the region and the world at large.

It was Aripov's first official visit to China in the capacity of prime minister. During the three-day visit starting Tuesday, he will also meet with President Xi Jinping and attend the fifth meeting of the China-Uzbekistan intergovernmental cooperation committee.