China's top legislator Li Peng said Monday that China has attached importance to developing friendly relations with Uzbekistan, which is beneficial to both countries and peace and stability in central Asia as well as the whole world.
Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, made the remarks at a meeting with Uzbekistan Minister of the Interior Zakirzhon Almatov.
He said that in recent years, visits between senior officials of the two countries have been frequent, referring to the visit by President Jiang Zemin and by himself.
Li noted that Uzbekistan President Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov visited China last November and signed documents on furthering Sino-Uzbekistan friendly relations. The visit expanded bilateral cooperation, and laid a solid foundation for the cooperation on law enforcement.
He voiced his hope that Almatov's visit will improve cooperation between the security and interior departments of the two countries.
Almatov said that Uzbekistan Ministry of the Interior, according to the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, will further promote cooperation with the Chinese security department in law enforcement, so as to safeguard the security and stability of the two countries.
(Xinhua 10/16/2000)
