国内英语新闻:Uzbek president, Chinese state councilor back bilateral cooperation

TASHKENT, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Uzbek President Islam Karimov and visiting Chinese State Councilor Meng Jianzhu both have pledged to deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation between their countries.
Uzbekistan wishes to further deepen its mutuallu beneficial cooperation with China on politics, economy, trade and security, which will benefit the two countries and the two peoples, Karimov said Friday during a meeting with Meng.

China-Uzbekistan relations developed smoothly in 2009, said Meng, who also attended the fifth session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Security Council Secretaries in Tashkent.

Leaders of the two countries have kept close contacts, which is a strong driving force for the development of bilateral ties, Meng said.

The two countries have expanded their pragmatic cooperation in various fields and conducted effective cooperation on international and regional issues, he said.

China values its traditional friendship with Uzbekistan and wishes to promote the friendly and cooperative partnership between the two countries. The partnership complies with the fundamental interests of the two countries and it is conducive to maintaining regional peace and stability, Meng said.

During his visit, Meng also held talks with Uzbek Interior Minister Bahodir Matlubov and Chief of Security Rustam Inayatov.

The two sides held an extensive and in-depth exchange of views on exchanges of law enforcement agencies and the promotion of law enforcement cooperation between the two countries.