Chinese President Hu Jintao met separately with presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan in Tashkent Wednesday on the sideline of the upcoming summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev handed over to Hu Jintao a written document to confirm Kyrgyzstan's stance to recognize China' s full market economy status.

Akayev said China has established complete market economic system after its 25 years of reforms and opening up to the outside world. The process accelerated after China joined the World Trade Organization.

Hu said the move by Kyrgyzstan will "greatly push forward China-Kyrgyzstan bilateral trade and economic cooperation."

Hu made a four-point proposal in meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov on strengthening cooperation. Hu said the two sides should support each other on major issues, enhance law-enforcement cooperation to fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism as well as drug dealings, improve economic relations and cultural exchanges.

Rakhmonov said he agreed with Hu's proposals. He described China as a "good friend, good partner and good neighbor" of Tajikistan and said the two sides should expand cooperation to explore potentials in trade and economic ties.

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited China last month and the two sides signed a number of agreements to cement cooperation in oil and natural gas and other areas.

Both Hu and Nazarbayev agreed that the two sides should implement the agreements in accordance with schedule.

Hu said China supports Kazakhstan's proposal to connect railways from China to Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran.

The presidents all stressed to support the SCO. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fighting against terrorism, separatism and extremism.

(Xinhua News Agency June 17, 2004)