On May 26, 2005, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council met with Uzbek President Islam Karimov in the Great Hall of the People. Both sides exchanged views on China-Uzbekistan relationship and the regional and international issues of common concern.

Premier Wen Jiabao first spoke highly of the Treaty on the Friendly and Cooperative Partnership between China and Uzbekistan signed yesterday by two heads of state. He said that the development of China-Uzbekistan relationship has been all long following the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits. Both sides understand and support each other in major issues of common concern, such as national sovereignty and territorial integrity and carry out close cooperation in regional and international affairs. All these have laid a solid political foundation for China-Uzbekistan friendly and cooperative partnership.

Talking about the economic and trade relations between the two countries, Wen said that the economic and trade relation between China and Uzbekistan is witnessing a sound momentum of growth. Bilateral trade volume increases year by year and mutual investment keeps expanding. China and Uzbekistan are close neighbours. We enjoy geological advantages in economic cooperation and we have different needs. Therefore we have a broad prospect for economic cooperation. He hoped that both sides keep forging ahead and carry out the cooperation in such fields as energy, mineral resources, telecommunications, and infrastructure development in a pragmatic attitude.

President Karimov said that he had a frank, sincere and constructive talk with President Hu Jintao on Uzbekistan-China relationship and major issues of common concern and the talk has achieved satisfactory results. The signing of the Treaty on the Friendly and Cooperative Partnership between China and Uzbekistan is of great significance to the further development of Uzbekistan-China relationship. The Uzbek side will do its best to implement the important consensuses reached by leaders of the two countries, strive for the constant growth of Uzbekistan-China relations and promote the cooperation in such fields as economy and trade.