On the afternoon of August 27, 2019, Premier Li Keqiang held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov of Uzbekistan, who was paying an official visit to China.

Li Keqiang expressed, China and Uzbekistan enjoy a long-standing history of traditional friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic relationship, the two countries have resolutely supported each other on issues concerning respective core interests and constantly made new progress in China-Uzbekistan relations and cooperation. President Xi Jinping and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev have had many successful meetings, pushing bilateral relations to new highs. The Chinese side attaches great importance to China-Uzbekistan relations and is willing to work with the Uzbek side to maintain close high-level exchanges, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and strengthen communication and coordination in international and regional affairs. Such efforts will enable us to add impetus to the lasting peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Li Keqiang noted, China and Uzbekistan are highly complementary in economy and enjoy broad prospects in practical cooperation. The Chinese side is willing to integrate the Belt and Road Initiative with the Uzbek side's development strategies, deepen cooperation in such areas as production capacity, interconnectivity and agriculture and make efforts to ensure the stability of bilateral energy cooperation. The Chinese side stands ready to continue to expand bilateral trade volume and import distinctive Uzbek products that meet the needs of Chinese market. China supports competent Chinese enterprises in investing and starting business in Uzbekistan according to market principles and business rules, and hopes the Uzbek side will create a sound business environment. We are willing to, together with the Uzbek side, promote cooperation in areas including culture, tourism and higher education, so as to consolidate the public support foundation of bilateral friendship.

Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov congratulated the People's Republic of China on its 70th anniversary. He said, China has scored remarkable achievements in its development, and made positive contributions to stability and prosperity in the region and the world. Uzbekistan and China have maintained high-level strategic dialogues, continuously deepened practical cooperation, witnessed stable growth in trade and investment, enjoyed prosperous people-to-people and cultural exchanges and intensified coordination in international and regional affairs. The Uzbek side is ready to continue to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative in an in-depth manner, deepen cooperation in various fields, and welcome more investment from Chinese enterprises in Uzbekistan, so as to push bilateral relations to a higher level.

After the talks, Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov witnessed the signing of a series of bilateral cooperation documents.

Prior to the talks, Li Keqiang held a welcome ceremony for Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Liu Qibao, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Director of the National Development and Reform Commission He Lifeng and others were present at relevant activities.