Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who is in China for the China-Central Asia Summit and a state visit, in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, May 18, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

XI'AN -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday held talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the city of Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Xi welcomed Mirziyoyev to China for the China-Central Asia Summit and a state visit. He recalled his state visit to Uzbekistan last September and the hospitality of Mirziyoyev.

He congratulated Mirziyoyev on Uzbekistan's recent successful referendum and the adoption of the new Constitution, which fully demonstrated the deep trust and wholehearted support of the Uzbek people for Mirziyoyev.

He expressed confidence that under Mirziyoyev's leadership, reform and opening up in Uzbekistan will enjoy broader prospects and the development of "New Uzbekistan" will yield greater outcomes.

Xi noted their joint announcement of the implementation of the vision of a community with a shared future at the bilateral level and the new characterization of the bilateral relations last September. He expressed China's readiness to work with Uzbekistan to deepen cooperation across the board and build a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future.

The two sides should firmly support each other and be reliable friends and partners, Xi said.

Xi called for joint efforts to expand economic, trade and investment cooperation, deepen connectivity construction, and enhance cooperation in energy and medical and health care. China and Uzbekistan should also promote cooperation in countering terrorism and interference to contribute their share to regional security and stability.

The summit is a milestone in China-Central Asia relations and will usher their cooperation into a new era, Xi said.

Noting that Uzbekistan is China's reliable all-weather strategic partner, Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan is willing to learn from China's experience in poverty reduction, deepen cooperation in various fields, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges.

The country will actively implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, Mirziyoyev said.

After the talks, the two heads of state signed a joint statement, approved a plan for the development of the China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era, and witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral documents on investment, poverty reduction, agricultural products trade, inspection and quarantine, and local cooperation.

Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and Qin Gang attended the events.