Sino-Uzbek relations have entered their best ever phase since the two countries established diplomatic relations 15 years ago, said the Chinese ambassador to Uzbekistan.

"Since China and Uzbekistan reached the agreement on Sino-Uzbek cooperative partnership in 2005, the two countries have greatly enhanced cooperation in terms of politics, economy, culture and international affairs," Ambassador Yu Hongjun told Xinhua prior to Premier Wen Jiabao's upcoming visit.

Premier Wen will attend the sixth Meeting of Prime Ministers of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent, as well as pay official visits to Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Belarus and Russia afterwards from Nov. 2 to 6.

The Uzbek official newspaper, Pravda Vostoka, also highly appraised the relations between two countries, saying that "China is one of Uzbekistan's closest and most reliable friends."

"The sound Sino-Uzbek relations also play a significant role in maintaining the regional safety and the stable work of the SCO," Yu added.

The SCO, a regional organization founded in June 2001, now comprises China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, with Pakistan, Mongolia, Iran and India holding observer status.

(Xinhua News Agency November 2, 2007)