China hopes to substantially carry out cooperation with Uzbekistan on energy resources, mining, telecommunication and infrastructure, Premier Wen Jiabao said Thursday. 

"China and Uzbekistan are close neighbors and should take geographical advantage to promote economic cooperation, which is in compliance with the needs of the two countries," he said during his meeting with visiting Uzbek President Islam Karimov.

Wen noted that the two countries have maintained good momentum for economic and trade cooperation, the bilateral trade volumes have increased every year and mutual investment has also expanded.

Wen spoke highly of a treaty on friendly and cooperative partnership signed by the heads of the two states on Wednesday.

Sino-Uzbek relations have developed according to the principles of mutual respect, equality and reciprocity, he said, and the two countries have supported each other on issues concerning their national sovereignty and territorial integrity and maintained consultations in the international affairs.

"This lays the political basis for the friendly and cooperative partnership between the two countries," Wen said.

Karimov said the treaty signed Wednesday is of great significance to furthering the relations between Uzbekistan and China. Uzbekistan will implement the agreement conscientiously and with all its effort and push forward the bilateral ties and cooperation.

He also said his meeting with President Hu Jintao was "frank" and "constructive," and achieved satisfactory result.

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2005)