On September 20, local time, Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), arrived in Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, kicking off an official goodwill visit to the country at the invitation of Chairman Ilgizar Sabirov of the Senate and Speaker Dilorom Toshmuhamedova of the Legislative Chamber of the Uzbek Supreme Assembly. This is Wu's first visit to Uzbekistan as chairman of the NPC Standing Committee.

At about 4 pm local time, Chairman Wu Bangguo's special plane landed at Tashkent Airport. The national flags of the two countries flew high at the airport. Chinese Ambassador to Uzbekistan Zhang Xiao and senior officials from the Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan boarded the plane to greet Wu Bangguo. Chairman Wu shook hands and exchanged greetings with Chairman Ilgizar Sabirov of the Senate of the Uzbek Supreme Assembly beside the ramp. An Uzbek young woman presented flowers to Chairman Wu and Vice Chairman and Secretary General Li Jianguo of China's NPC Standing Committee who accompanied Wu on the visit.

"China and Uzbekistan are close neighbors and the two peoples enjoy a long history of friendship," Wu said in a written speech upon his arrival, adding the two countries had always demonstrated mutual respect, mutual understanding and support for each other and bilateral relations have enjoyed healthy and stable development since the establishment of diplomatic ties nearly 20 years ago. Hailing the China-Uzbekistan relationship at its best in history, he expressed belief with the joint efforts of both sides, his visit would achieve a great success and help further push forward the friendly and cooperative partnership between the two countries.

During the visit, Wu is expected to meet Uzbek President Islam Karimov and hold talks separately with Chairman Ilgizar Sabirov of the Senate and Speaker Dilorom Toshmuhamedova of the Legislative Chamber. Both sides will exchange in-depth views on deepening bilateral relations, strengthening parliamentary exchanges, expanding pragmatic cooperation in various fields as well as international and regional issues of common interest.

Wu flew into Tashkent from Minsk after concluding his official goodwill visit to Belarus. Upon leaving Minsk, Wu was seen off at the airport by Chairman Vladimir Andreichenko and Deputy Chairman Viktor Guminsky of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus and Chinese Ambassador to Belarus.