Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Uzbek counterpart Islam Karimov met in Tashkent on Wednesday to discuss ways of enhancing bilateral cooperation.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) meets with Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov in Tashkent, June 9, 2010. This is Hu's second trip to the Central Asian state since he became China's head of state in 2003. [Xinhua photo]

The two leaders will exchange views on the current situation and prospects of bilateral ties as well as international and regional issues of common concern, Chinese Foreign Ministry officials said.

The Sino-Uzbek relations have undergone a sound and stable development since they forged diplomatic ties in 1992. In 2004, the two countries decided to establish the friendly and cooperative partnership.

In recent years, the two countries have maintained frequent high-level exchanges, deepened their political mutual trust and expanded cooperation in such fields as trade, economy, energy, security and culture.

China and Uzbekistan have supported each other on major issues of common concern, conducted robust cooperation in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and other multilateral organizations, and contributed to promoting peace and stability in the region and the world.

This is Hu's second trip to the Central Asian state since he became China's head of state in 2003. In June 2004, he visited Uzbekistan and attended a SCO summit in Tashkent.

In Tashkent, Hu will attend the SCO summit slated for Friday. The leaders of the SCO members are expected to exchange views on the world and regional situation, Central Asia security and stability, the international role of the SCO and its links with other multilateral organizations.

The participants will mainly discuss strategies for fighting the "three evil forces" -- terrorism, separatism and extremism, safeguarding security and stability, and increasing pragmatic cooperation.

Founded in 2001, the SCO consists of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Mongolia, India, Pakistan and Iran are observers of the organization.