Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov on Monday in Astana, Kazakhstan, to discuss enhancing bilateral ties and regional cooperation.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, highlighting the significance of both countries within the regional framework.
Wang Yi emphasized that strategic guidance under head-of-state diplomacy is the most important driving force for China-Uzbekistan relations. He noted the profound friendship between the leaders of the two countries as a prominent feature of their bilateral ties.
“China will, as always, support Uzbekistan in safeguarding its national interests, advancing its national development strategy, and playing a bigger role in international affairs,” Wang Yi stated.
He appreciated Uzbekistan’s adherence to the one-China principle and expressed confidence that Uzbekistan will continue to support China on issues concerning China’s core interests.
Wang Yi proposed that both sides study and introduce more trade-facilitation measures, strengthen connectivity, and enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism, drug control, and combating transnational crimes.
He also called for advancing a comprehensive and multi-dimensional network of intergovernmental, subnational, and people-to-people exchanges between China and Uzbekistan.
Foreign Minister Saidov expressed Uzbekistan’s willingness to work closely with China to formulate cooperation plans and expand areas of collaboration.
“Uzbekistan unswervingly abides by the one-China principle and supports all efforts by China to achieve national reunification,” Saidov affirmed.
He added that Uzbekistan will always stand with China on major issues and will intensify coordination to safeguard regional peace and stability.
The meeting underscores the deepening partnership between China and Uzbekistan, with both nations committed to strengthening ties and fostering stability and development in the region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
