BEIJING -- China will continue to provide assistance for Uzbekistan's economic and social development and will deepen bilateral cooperation, President Hu Jintao said in Beijing on Saturday.
In a meeting with Uzbek President Islam Karimov, Hu said China-Uzbekistan relations have maintained sustained and rapid development.
The two countries have understood and supported each other on major issues and carried out rewarding cooperation in economic, trade, energy, cultural and other fields as well as national security issues, he said.
Karimov said the Uzbek people will never forget the support and assistance from the Chinese people, and his country hopes to expand concrete cooperation with China in various fields.
He reaffirmed Uzbekistan's support for China's efforts to maintain sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying his country will continue to cooperate with China in combating the "three evil forces" (of terrorism, separatism and extremism).
Karimov is among more than 80 heads of state and government and royals attending Beijing Olympics opening ceremony on Friday at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest.
