On May 21, 2010, Uzbek President Islam Karimov met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi at the Presidential Palace in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.

Karimov said that Uzbekistan and China enjoy a high level of mutual political trust with expanding pragmatic cooperation in the areas of economy, trade and energy. Both sides have also maintained dynamic people-to-people and cultural exchanges, achieved remarkable results in security cooperation and coordinated closely in the UN, the SCO and other international and regional multilateral frameworks. Uzbekistan has always regarded China as a reliable friend and important partner, Karimov said. Uzbekistan attaches great importance to developing long-term and stable relations with China, the president said, adding that Uzbekistan is willing to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, expand trade and boost cooperation with China in such areas as energy, non-resources and high and new technology. Uzbekistan is also ready to accelerate the implementation of cooperation projects on telecommunication and infrastructure construction, enhance coordination in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other international organizations and improve the ability of the SCO member countries to jointly cope with various threats and challenges, he added.

Yang conveyed the cordial greetings and good wishes of President Hu Jintao to Karimov and congratulated Uzbekistan on successfully addressing the global financial crisis under the leadership of Karimov and making new achievements in various undertakings.

Yang said that in recent years, bilateral relations have maintained smooth and healthy development. The two countries have supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests, actively conducted pragmatic cooperation, jointly combated the “three evil forces” and carried out sound cooperation in international and regional affairs. China respects Uzbekistan’s choice of development road according to its own national conditions. Yang said that China highly values its relations of friendly cooperation and partnership with Uzbekistan. China will work with Uzbekistan to open up new prospects for bilateral ties based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. He said that the two countries should strengthen political mutual trust, increase mutual support, continue to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and bring into full play their economic complementarity. Yang also urged both sides to strengthen coordination in international and regional affairs and ensure the SCO summit in Tashkent a success.

On the same day, Yang also held talks with Uzbek Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov, exchanging in-depth views on furthering bilateral ties. Both sides agreed to continue enhancing communication and coordination, implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries in an all-round manner, and push for better and faster development of bilateral ties.

Yang arrived in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan on May 20 for an official visit and a Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.