RATS will grow with support

President Hu Jintao yesterday vowed to strengthen support for the work of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS).

Hu made the remarks while meeting with his Uzbek counterpart Islam Karimov.

"To fight the 'three evil forces' including the 'East Turkistan' force and safeguard security and stability in the region is in the common interests of China and Uzbekistan, as well as all the other countries there," he said.

He said Uzbekistan, as the host of RATS, made important contributions to the successful start of RATS and to the sound role played by it.

RATS, headquartered in the Uzbek capital Tashkent, was opened in June 2004 with a mission to step up coordination between SCO member states and other international bodies in combating the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism.

Hu hailed China-Uzbek relationship, saying it features political support, deepening cooperation and close coordination, and it contributes to regional and peace and stability.

The China-Uzbek treaty on friendly and cooperative partnership signed last year has pushed bilateral relations to a new phase of development, he said.

"China appreciates the firm support from Uzbekistan on such issues as Taiwan and on the strike against the 'East Turkistan' terrorist force. We will also support Uzbekistan along a development road which is in line with its domestic situation," Hu said.

Karimov said that Uzbekistan is satisfied with the booming cooperation with China in all fields, saying that Uzbek people have received support and help from China on hard occasions.