Vice Premier Wu Yi met Monday with visiting Uzbekistan First Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Minister Rustam Azimov. The two sides hailed bilateral political and economic ties and vowed to further trade and economic cooperation.  

Wu, who is in charge of China's trade and foreign investment, told Azimov that China attaches importance to the all-round cooperation with Uzbekistan, which has rich natural resource and neighbors the huge market of China.

She said President Hu Jintao expects Uzbekistan President Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov's upcoming visit to China later this month.

Azimov said Uzbekistan sticks to the one-China policy and will deepen cooperation with China in all fields.

During his working visit to China started from May 11, Azimov met with Chinese officials and business people in a bid to prepare for Karimov's visit.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2005)