On Monday, June 11, First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Azimov of Uzbekistan and top Chinese security official Meng Jianzhu met to discuss further strengthening and expansion of economic cooperation and trade between the countries they represent. Under the so-called “Belt Initiatives,” the two nations hope to deepen all-around cooperation as well as economic and cultural ties.
The two leaders reached an agreement during the third meeting of the China-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Committee of Cooperation, which was held in Rizhao, Shandong Province.
"Co-building the Silk Road Economic Belt will present a major opportunity for developing China-Uzbekistan relations," said Meng Jianzhu, who also serves as the head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.
In the opening ceremony of the China-Uzbekistan trade and economic forum, Meng also expressed that China and Uzbekistan should push for greater bilateral cooperation.
Other factors that will boost ties between the two nations, according to Meng, include trade structure optimization, cooperation scale expansion, infrastructure building, and the assurance of smooth trade between the two countries.
A deepened political mutual trust as well as being aware of the other's development strategies will also help achieve the goal of stronger all-round cooperation.
On the other hand, Uzbekistan, under the representation of Rustam Azimov, promised to actively participate in all efforts under the "Belt Initiatives" framework to further bolster relations with China. The First Deputy Prime Minister also added that China has always been a trustworthy friend and partner of Uzbekistan.
A memorandum was signed by Meng and Azimov after the two-hour meeting.
The China-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee was established in 2010 as a mechanism that will aid all-around cooperation and help cement bilateral strategic partnership between the two sovereign states.