President Hu Jintao and Uzbek President Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov Tuesday agreed to strengthen cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), so as to safeguard regional stability and promote common development.  

In a meeting after the opening of the SCO summit in Astana Tuesday morning, Hu said both sides should go all out to implement all consensus and agreements that have been reached and score more achievements as soon as possible, in an effort to secure the smooth growth of bilateral ties.

Karimov said his China tour a month ago was a success, laying down a solid foundation for the overall progress of the Uzbekistan-China ties.

The Uzbek side is ready to collaborate with the Chinese side to fully implement the agreements that have been inked, so as to make even closer the friendly relations of cooperation between the two nations.

On the situation in Central Asia, Hu stressed China has always respected and supported the development road Uzbekistan and other Central Asian nations have chosen, and supported their efforts in safeguarding their national security and regional peace and stability.

Karimov spoke highly of China's Central Asia policy.

Hu is expected to leave here Wednesday afternoon for Britain to attend the G8+5 summit scheduled for July 7.

(Xinhua News Agency July 6, 2005)