Xinhua news agency domestic service
December 23

Uzbek Defence Minister Col Qodir Ghulomov met on 23 December in Tashkent with a goodwill delegation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army headed by Lt-Gen Zang Wenqing, deputy commander of the Beijing Military Region. He said the Uzbek government is satisfied with the military and anti-terrorism cooperation between the two countries, adding Uzbekistan hopes to further enhance cooperation with China in various areas. Ghulomov said that the exchanges between the Chinese and Uzbek armies have been smooth, and that the smooth cooperation between the two countries within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization realizes the excellent momentum of the development of bilateral relations. He said the Uzbek government is really pleased with and admires the tremendous achievements scored by China in various areas in recent years. He congratulated the smooth holding of the 16th CCP Chinese Communist Party National Congress in November.

Zang Wenqing briefed the Uzbek side on the 16th CCP National Congress. He said enhancing cooperation with the Uzbek military in fighting terrorism is in accord with the two countries' interests as well as conducive to stability in the Central Asian region. He also conveyed the cordial greetings of Chi Haotian, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, state councillor, and defence minister.

Present at the meeting were China's Ambassador to Uzbekistan Zhang Zhiming and military attache Senior Col Zhu Da.

The Chinese military goodwill delegation arrived on 22 December in Uzbekistan for a four-day visit at the invitation of the Uzbek Defence Ministry. Prior to that, the delegation had visited Turkmenistan.

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