China, Uzbekistan eye deeper cooperation on energy, minerals

"The two countries should deepen cooperation in such areas like energy and minerals, as well as in non-resource factors like high- tech, telecommunication, transportation, chemicals and tourism, and increase export of natural gas, rare metals and cotton to China," said Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC).

According to Xinhua, during his meeting with Uzbek President Islam Karimov in Tashkent, Wu called on the two countries, with complementary economies and solid cooperative foundation, to launch an inter- governmental cooperation committee at an early date for the sake of strategic planning and coordination of bilateral cooperation.

China will continue to encourage its enterprises to invest in Uzbekistan and welcome more Uzbekistan enterprises to come to China, said Wu, adding he hopes the two sides will create favorable conditions for mutual investment.

Karimov appreciated China's firm support and sincere assistance, saying Uzbekistan and China should carry out mutually beneficial cooperation in a wider way, and that Uzbekistan welcomes the Chinese firms to make investment in areas like energy, minerals, infrastructure and high-technology.

Wu and Karimov also agreed to enhance cooperation on safeguarding regional peace and stability, and vowed to join hands to fight against drug trafficking, organized transnational crimes and "three forces" of separatism, extremism and terrorism.

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