The leaders of China and Uzbekistan signed an agreement on Wednesday to establish a "friendly cooperative partnership," signaling a new determination on both sides to further consolidate the traditional friendship.  

President Hu Jintao and visiting Uzbek President Islam Karimov met in Beijing yesterday and witnessed the signing of 14 more agreements that are expected to open ways for more cooperation in trade, customs, high technology and energy.

Among the agreements signed was the establishment of a joint venture by China National Petroleum Corp and its Uzbek counterpart.

"It is worth a total investment of US$600 million and is seen as an important step for energy cooperation between the two countries," People's Daily quoted Karimov as saying yesterday.

Hu said the friendly cooperative partnership has established a strong political and legal base for the long-term development of Sino-Uzbek relations, calling for more bilateral cooperation in the fields of gas, mine, telecommunications and transport.

He also promised that China would back Uzbekistan to join the World Trade Organization, encouraging more trade exchanges and investments between the enterprises in both countries.

Talking about the regional situation, Hu said China is willing to try, with other countries in the region and within the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), to fight the "three evil forces" of terrorists, separatists and extremists to safeguard peace and stability in the region.

The SCO -- whose members also include Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan -- is an international organization founded in June 2001.

Karimov's fourth visit to China after assuming the presidency comes after thousands of armed protesters plunged the city of Andijan into chaos last Friday, releasing prisoners and clashing with security forces.

On Tuesday, one day before the visit, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said China firmly supports Uzbekistan's moves to crack down on the three evil forces and to maintain domestic and regional stability.

Describing China as a "reliable friend and friendly neighbor," Karimov said the establishment of a friendly cooperative partnership marks that bilateral relations have moved to a new high.

Karimov is optimistic about the bilateral trade cooperation, saying that there is still much room for further cooperation in many fields and that he would like to see more cultural and educational exchanges.

He said Uzbekistan shares the same stance as China on maintaining regional peace and safety.

(China Daily May 26, 2005)