China, Uzbekistan elevate ties to comprehensive strategic partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) meets with Uzbek President Islam Karimov in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, June 22, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

TASHKENT - China and Uzbekistan upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership Wednesday after talks between visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Uzbek counterpart, Islam Karimov.

The two countries also outlined the cooperation plan for their new partnership in such areas as political mutual trust and support, the China-proposed Silk Road Economic Belt initiative, national and regional security, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and collaboration on international affairs.

The upgrade was based on the "unprecedented high standard of China-Uzbekistan high-level interaction, political mutual trust and win-win cooperation" they have scored since establishing a strategic partnership in 2012, said a joint statement.

The Chinese president is in Uzbekistan for a state visit. He will also attend the 16th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of State on June 23 and 24.

Uzbekistan is the third and final stop of Xi's three-nation tour, which has taken him to Serbia and Poland.