The pledge was made by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov in their meeting in Beijing on Wednesday morning.

China will work with Uzbekistan to promote the construction of the Silk Road economic belt, and their cooperation in such areas as transportation infrastructure, energy, industrial parks and finance, Li said.

He also called on the two countries to expand cultural and personnel exchanges, and make closer communication and coordination on global and regional affairs to maintain regional security and prosperity.

The premier also thanked Uzbekistan for its steady support on issues concerning China’s core interests, and vowed to continue to support Uzbekistan to follow a development path in accordance with its national situation.

He hoped the two governments could make good use of the two countries’ mutual political trust to promote their substantial cooperation.

Hailing China’s role in promoting world peace and the two sides’ common development, Karimov said Uzbekistan is willing to push forward bilateral cooperation in areas including transportation infrastructure construction, energy and culture.

He also vowed Uzbekistan will actively participate in the construction of the Silk Road economic belt, and strengthen regional peace, stability and development.

The press service of the President of Uzbekistan said that it was noted at the meeting that current visit of the Uzbek President Islam Karimov will help to further strengthen and develop cooperation between two states and stimulate expansion of strategic partnership.

President Islam Karimov said that within the negotiations in Beijing the sides signed over 20 agreements for US$5.2 billion and trade agreements for US$800 million. Total sum of agreements made up US$6 billion.

Li Keqiang highly rated the visit and underlined that Uzbekistan is achieving great success in development and China is ready to develop cooperation with Uzbekistan based on mutual trust, respect and interests, as well as strategic partnership relations.

It was said that the visit of the Uzbek leader to China opens new opportunities in expanding potential of mutual beneficial cooperation.

The sides exchanged opinion on implementation of achieved agreements at high level and strengthening and developing cooperation in trade-economic, investment, cultural-humanitarian spheres.